NWTF Texas State Chapter Dedicates $114,461 to Mission for 2023

After the reviewing and ranking process, proposals were presented to and approved by the NWTF Texas Board of Directors. The Board of Directors budgeted $57,650 for conservation projects and $56,811.39 for other projects, including outreach-education events and 4H Shooting Sports support. 

“I applaud our volunteers in the great state of Texas for working so hard to raise these funds for the wild turkey,” said Annie Farrell, NWTF district biologist for Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. “They have a very well-rounded budget this year, and we are excited to see these great projects and new partnerships unfold in 2023.”

NWTF award funding will be matched with more than $3.5 million in partner funds for the approved projects, representing a 55:1 match rate for NWTF funding. 

The Texas State Board of Directors dedicated $57,650 in funding to the following Hunting Heritage Super Fund projects directed at Texas habitat conservation objectives. Specific project awards include:

• $28,650 for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department WMA habitat projects, including invasive species removal, grassland restoration and cultural resource clearance on Yoakum Dunes WMA, Matador WMA, Taylor Lakes WMA, Kerr WMA, Fawcett WMA and Gus Engeling WMA, impacting over 3,000 acres.
• $4,000 to support Eastern wild turkey restoration in east Texas.
• $5,000 to support Rio Grande wild turkey research at Texas Tech University.
• $10,000 to support NWTF’s Waterways for Wildlife Initiative.
• $10,000 to support the NWTF district biologist position.

The board also dedicated $56,811.39 for Hunting Heritage efforts in Texas. This funding was approved to support education/outreach efforts, scholarships and shooting sports. Specific project awards include:

• $20,000 to support the Texas Wildlife Association’s Texas Youth Hunting Program and Adult Learn to Hunt Programs.
• $6,500 for JAKES, Wheelin’ Sportsmen and Women in the Outdoors events.
• $1,000 Bronze Level sponsorship for the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society's annual meeting.
• $1,000 Bronze Level sponsorship for Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Lone Star Land Steward Awards Banquet.

Additional Hunting Heritage efforts include state marketing ($4,400), scholarships ($4,500), law enforcement operational support ($1,000), signs for habitat projects ($750), turkey reward band reimbursements ($1,000), volunteer travel to the 50^th anniversary NWTF convention and National Leadership Conference ($12,000), Volunteers of the Year travel to the state banquet ($500), Game Warden of the Year travel to NWTF convention ($1,000) and miscellaneous expenses ($3,161.39).

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 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $8.5 million into wild turkey research to ensure the wild turkey population remains healthy. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale to increase clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities across the U.S. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF will continue its work to provide Healthy Habitats and Healthy Harvests for future generations.