NWTF Virginia, Partners Allocate Nearly $1.3 Million to Healthy Habitats. Healthy Harvests. in 2024

“Never before has the Virginia State Chapter allocated funds at this level for conservation and outreach programs within a single year,” said Cully McCurdy, NWTF district biologist for Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. “Because of the hard work and dedication of the NWTF volunteers, we can assist our conservation partners with meeting their management objectives and help avoid worthwhile projects from being cut.”

NWTF conservation project award funding will be matched with $925,000 in partner or grant funds for the approved projects, bringing the total impact to $1,277,250 for 2024 projects.

These projects will conserve vital habitat in Virginia. Funding includes:

• $15,000 for the development of a barrier-free access trail on the Big Survey WMA.
• $12,000 for brood range and wildlife opening development in Occoneechee State Park.
• $23,000 to support five timber harvest prescriptions in partnership with the Ruffed Grouse Society for the implementation on Channels State Forest and the Clinch Mountain WMA.
• $8,000 for forest thinning on the Goshen WMA in partnership with Appalachian Mountain Joint Venture.
• $25,000 for non-native invasive species removal and re-establishment of native shrubs and native grass plantings on the C.F. Phelps WMA.
• $25,000 for long-leaf pine restoration and brood range development on the Flippo-Gentry WMA.
• $7,500 for brood range development, wildlife opening establishment and prescribed fire application on the John H. Kerr Dam and Reservoir properties.
• $10,800 for non-native invasive woody vegetation control for the re-establishment of old brood and nesting cover for wild turkeys on the Mattaponi, Pettigrew and Oakley WMAs.
• $20,000 for the restoration of 50 acres of lowland habitat on the James River WMA to native grass and wildflower meadows.
• $15,000 for forestry mulcher application, fire line establishment and prescribed fire application on the Mattaponi WMA.
• $50,000 to supplement funds derived from the sale of National Forest Stamps to complete 14 unfunded habitat projects on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.

The following equipment purchases will increase prescribed burn capabilities for oak regeneration and support resource protection by the state game agency law enforcement section. Funding includes:

• $30,000 for the purchase of a Canam Defender 6X6 SUV and trailer to be equipped with the state game agency’s slide-in pump for prescribed fire application.
• $28,000 for the purchase of eight Flock Falcon Flex camera systems with LPR (license plate reader) technology and network connectivity capability to send automatic alerts on vehicles/persons of interest in real-time.
• $40,000 for the purchase of eight fully equipped and police package accessorized QuietKat IBEX 1000 E-Bikes. 

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 $9 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.