Oklahoma State Chapter Dedicates $113,234.08 to Mission for 2023

“I commend our volunteer leadership in the great state of Oklahoma for working so hard to raise these funds,” said Annie Farrell, NWTF district biologist for Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. “These volunteers are our boots on the ground that put their hard-earned dollars back on the landscape towards critical projects. 2023 is going to be a good year for conservation in Oklahoma.”

After the reviewing and ranking process, proposals were presented to and approved by the NWTF Oklahoma Board of Directors. The Board of Directors budgeted $61,400 for conservation projects, plus $16,608.65 extended for projects from FY22, and $35,226 for other projects including outreach-education events, state scholarships and 4H Shooting Sports support.

NWTF award funding will be matched with more than $3.3 million in partner funds for the approved projects; representing a 44:1 match rate for NWTF funding.

The Oklahoma State Board of Directors dedicated $78,008.65 in funding to the following Hunting Heritage Super Fund projects directed at Oklahoma habitat conservation objectives. Specific project awards include:

• $10,000 for the Oklahoma Prescribed Burn Association to purchase prescribed burning equipment.
• $10,400 to support Oklahoma State University with wild turkey research.
• $10,000 to support Canton Wildlife Management Area with invasive species removal.
• $7,500 to support Sandhills Wildlife Management Area with invasive species removal.
• $10,000 to support Black Kettle Wildlife Management Area with riparian maintenance and invasive species removal.
• $3,500 to support Cimarron Bluff Wildlife Management Area with invasive species removal.
• $10,000 to support NWTF’s Waterways for Wildlife Initiative.
• $16,608.65 is extended from FY22 to support ODWC’s Black Kettle WMA Riparian Enhancement project and USFS Blue Mountain Walk in Turkey Hunting Area midstory reduction project

In addition, $35,225.43 was approved to support education/outreach efforts in Oklahoma including JAKES, WITO, Wheelin’ Sportsmen, the Oklahoma state scholarship, and shooting sports projects. Specific project awards include:

• $5,000 to support the National Archery in the Schools Program in Oklahoma
• $5,000 to support the Scholastic Shooting Sports Program in Oklahoma
• $1,100 (plus $600 from local chapters) to support ODWC Law Enforcement efforts
• $3,000 to support JAKES, WITO, and Wheelin’ Sportsmen events
• $743 to support Tigers on Target
• $3,000 to support NWTF Hunting Heritage Fund
• $1,500 for an NWTF Oklahoma State Scholarship
• $8,250 for volunteer travel to 50th-anniversary convention
• $3,000 to support tech rep travel to convention and regional technical meetings
• $1,500 to support an ODWC Game Warden's travel to convention
• $500 to habitat project signs
• $1,600 to support R3 efforts in Oklahoma
• $1,000 to conservation field day support
• $32.43 for miscellaneous expenses

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.