NWTF South Dakota Pledges $81,700 to Healthy Habitats. Healthy Harvests. in 2025
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The South Dakota NWTF State Chapter recently met in Mitchell, South Dakota, to review Hunting Heritage Super Fund project proposals for 2025. After the reviewing and ranking process, proposals were approved by the South Dakota NWTF State Chapter Board of Directors. The board budgeted $44,125 for conservation projects and $37,575 for Hunting Heritage-related projects, including NWTF Education and Outreach events, chapter scholarships, 4H Shooting Sports support and more. Funding will be matched with $21,089,543 in partner or grant funds for the approved projects.
“Funding from NWTF’s Super Fund wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated volunteers and members across the state,” said Clayton Lenk, NWTF district biologist for Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. “Because of them, our partners and staff can get more conservation work done and enhance the outdoor recreation experience for so many. The projects funded for 2025 will positively impact the wild turkey in key South Dakota landscapes and also provide more recreational opportunities for outdoorsmen and women throughout the region."
The $44,125 allocation for habitat enhancement projects will facilitate the funding of the NWTF Black Hills cooperative forester position, habitat restoration projects and more. The NWTF South Dakota State Chapter also earmarked $7,000 to be used across the 10-state region of the NWTF’s Waterways for Wildlife Initiative. The initiative seeks to improve the health and vigor of riparian areas on at least 75,000 acres. This ambitious plan will enhance riparian plant communities along 1,500 linear miles of rivers and streams in the American Great Plains, stretching from North Dakota to South Texas.
The state chapter’s $37,575 allocation for hunting heritage projects will facilitate sport shooting events, youth hunts, veteran hunts and NWTF Education and Outreach programs, such as JAKES events and Wheelin’ Sportsmen events.
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.