NWTF Iowa Contributes $92,095 for Research, Habitat, Access and More for 2025

“The volunteers in Iowa have a huge heart for the mission,” said John Burk, NWTF district biologist for Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. “They annually contribute to multiple acquisition and habitat projects that are making a difference. Another credit to their commitment is that they use the NWTF Super Fund primarily to deliver on the first half of our mission, and they do additional local fundraisers to support the second half. This is unique to them, and I applaud them for their commitment.”

The Super Fund is a funding model where NWTF volunteers raise money at banquets and other types of fundraisers and then allocate a significant portion of those funds back into meaningful conservation and outreach projects in their respective states. For Iowa's 2025 Super Fund allocations, projects include but are not limited to:

• $8,500 toward 2026 conservation program support.
• $7,500 to assist with the acquisition of 191 acres in Benton County.
• $5,000 to assist with the acquisition of 151 acres in Humboldt County.
• $5,000 to assist with the acquisition of 117 acres in Guthrie County.
• $5,000 to assist with the acquisition of 40 acres in Clinton County.  
• $5,000 to assist with DNA analysis of turkey eggs as part of the 10-year research project being conducted by DNR. (Learn more about this research project)
• $5,000 to assist with 508 acres of open woodland restoration at Red Rock WMA.  
• $5,000 to assist with 98 acres of timber stand improvement at Fox Hills WMA.
• $5,000 to assist with treating 68 acres of invasive species at Jackson County Conservation Board lands.  
• $5,000 to assist with 45 acres of cedar clearing at Sedan Bottoms WMA.
• $4,000 to assist with a tractor lease for the Grand Rivers Wildlife Unit.
• $3,000 to assist with the purchase of a tiller attachment for the Maquoketa Wildlife Unit.
• $2,500 to assist with purchasing a slide-in water unit for the Ringgold County Conservation Board.
• $2,000 to assist with purchasing a slide-in sprayer for the Jones County Conservation Board.
• $2,000 to assist with purchasing oak seedlings for a 4-acre oak savanna planting at Wapsi Bottoms WMA.
• $5,000 to support the development of the 444-acre Reichelt R3 property in Jasper County.
• $4,500 to support outreach programs.

Iowa is the most biologically altered state in the United States of America, meaning that the plants and animals that existed before European settlement have changed more than any other state to date. This is mainly due to 93% of the state being converted from forests and prairie grasslands into vast agricultural operations, not to mention rapid urbanization. Moreover, Iowa is also in the top five most privately-owned states.

Recognizing the critical need for wildlife habitat and public hunting access in Iowa, the Iowa NWTF State Chapter takes a proactive stance: Each year, the chapter collaborates with a diverse range of partners to bolster the availability of suitable habitat for wild turkeys and other game and non-game species. This concerted effort also aims to provide hunters with ample opportunities to engage in their passion.

Learn more about how the work for 2025 builds upon the Iowa NWTF State Chapter’s tradition of acquisition.

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.