NWTF Illinois Commits $157,641 to Mission Delivery for 2025

“The volunteers in Illinois have always prided themselves a being a national leader when it comes to fundraising and mission delivery,” said John Burk, NWTF district biologist for Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. “The majority of our conservation work in Illinois is focused on restoring open woodlands on state and federal land because that is where the work is needed most. Most of the forested land in Illinois is plagued by invasive plants. These plants are transforming our deer and turkey factories into something much less productive, and we have been and will continue to work with our partners to address this serious threat. Additionally, the outreach side of mission delivery has always been important to our volunteers, and they put their dollars to work assisting local communities and introducing others to the the life-changing power of the outdoors.”

NWTF conservation project award funding will be matched with $263,500 in partner or grant funds for the approved projects. These projects will conserve vital habitat in Illinois. Funding includes:

• $13,335 to treat 292 acres of sericea lespedeza at Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area.
• $10,000 to restore 600 acres of open woodland at Mackinaw River State Fish and Wildlife Area.
• $10,000 to restore 647 acres of open woodland at Argyle Lake State Park.
• $9,581to restore 30 acres of native warm season grasses and forbs at Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge.
• $6,500 to assist with the purchase of a no-till drill for Tazewell County.
• $5,000 to restore 165 acres of open woodlands at Spoon River State Forest.
• $5,000 to restore 160 acres of open woodland at Siloam Springs State Park.
• $5,000 to restore 550 acres of open woodland at Jubilee College State Park.
• $5,000 to restore 90 acres of open woodland at Hidden Springs State Park.
• $5,000 to support the Great Rivers Prescribed Burn Association.
• $3,650 to print 1,000 copies of the “Forestry for the Birds” pocket guide that includes management recommendations for landowners for 12 forest birds, including wild turkeys.
• $2,500 to treat nine acres of invasive species at Devil’s Prop State Natural Area.
• $2,000 to support the Southern Illinois Prescribed Burn Association.
• $975 for burn equipment for southern Illinois prescribed burn coordinator.

The following projects support education, outreach and hunter access efforts in Illinois. Funding includes but is not limited to:

• $6,000 to support nine high school trap shooting teams.
• $5,000 to support three mentored hunts for 62 disabled hunters.
• $2,500 to support five mentored youth turkey hunts.
• $2,000 to support a mentored youth deer hunt for 50 participants.
• $1,500 to support a mentored youth turkey hunt for disabled youth.

About the National Wild Turkey Federation

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 23 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.