NWTF Minnesota State Chapter Dedicates $77,500 to Mission Delivery in 2023

After the reviewing and ranking process, proposals were presented to and approved by the Minnesota Board of Directors. The Board of Directors budgeted $26,000 for conservation projects and $51,500 for Hunting Heritage-related projects, including outreach-education events, chapter scholarships and 4H Shooting Sports support. 

“Thanks to the many exceptional volunteers in Minnesota who generate these funds, we are able to continue the great conservation and outreach work throughout the state,” said Clayton Lenk, NWTF district biologist for Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota and North Dakota. “The majority of the projects funded this year will directly impact oak savanna habitat, which is one of the country's most imperiled habitat types and is also outstanding wild turkey habitat.”

NWTF conservation project award funding will be matched with almost $582,000 in partner or grant funds for the approved projects, representing a 22:1 match rate for NWTF project funding. 

Hunting Heritage Funding = $51,500 

This funding was approved to support education/outreach efforts in Minnesota, including JAKES, WITO, Wheelin’ Sportsmen, scholarships, hunter’s education and the National Archery in the School’s Program.

Conservation Project Funding = $26,000 

Projects awarded funding for 2023 occur in the Driftless Area and Central Minnesota Focal Landscapes. Specific project awards include: 

• $10,000 – Kramer’s Ridge prairie enhancement – A project that will enhance 85.5 acres of prairie habitat on Whitewater WMA. These funds are being used as a match for a Conservation Partners Legacy Grant to receive more funding for the project. 

• $5,000 – Carl E. Bonnell WMA – A project that will treat 70 acres for invasive species on public lands that are home to several species listed as “Species of Greatest Conservation Need” by the DNR. These funds will be used in conjunction with Outdoor Heritage Funds and funds from the Anoka Soil and Water Conservation District. 

• $5,000 – Enhancing habitat in the Cannon River Watershed – A project that will restore 148.5 acres of savanna habitat by removing woody encroachment and invasive species as well as reseeding the prairie areas. These funds will be used in conjunction with Conservation Partner Legacy funds, Outdoor Heritage funds, as well as DNR funding. 

• $2,000 – Belle Prairie County Park habitat enhancement – A project that will treat 72 acres for invasive buckthorn with herbicide and potential prescribed fire to keep it from re-establishing back into the savanna/woodland areas. These funds will be used in conjunction with Outdoor Heritage funds as well as funding from Morrison County.

• $2,000 – Coordinating private forest management for turkey habitat – A project that will help fund a local forestry team coordinator. This position will work with soil and water conservation districts, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and private forestry consultants (among others) to coordinate and target forest management efforts on private lands for forest health and water quality in the Driftless Area Focal Landscape.

• $2,000 – Douglas Soil and Water Conservation District no-till drill – This equipment is used in Douglas, Ottertail and Todd Counties to plant roughly 900 acres per year into grassland habitat, which will provide excellent brood-rearing and foraging habitat for wild turkeys. 

Partners include the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Douglas Soil and Water Conservation District, Wabasha Soil and Water Conservation District, Minnesota Land Trust, Minnesota PCA, Great River Greening, Morrison County and Anoka Soil and Water Conservation District, among others.

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 conserved or enhanced over 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to drive wildlife conservation, forest resiliency and robust recreational opportunities throughout the U.S. by working across boundaries on a landscape scale. Today, the NWTF is investing heavily in wild turkey research to ensure the future of wild turkey populations and is working to secure Healthy Habitats and Healthy Harvests.