NWTF Nebraska to Invest $91,000 in State Projects in 2011

NEBRASKA — The Nebraska State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation committed $91,210 in Nebraska this year to conservation, education, research and other projects.

The largest single commitment made through the state’s Hunting Heritage Super Fund is $20,000 to improve waterways on Swanson Reservoir wildlife management area near Trenton, Neb. The chapter also dedicated $13,285 to support safe archery and shooting sports programs for youth.

Other commitments include:

• $10,000 to restore 160 acres of riparian forest – or forests along rivers and streams – on the Long Pine and/or Holt Creek wildlife management areas in north-central Nebraska
• $7,500 for the first of three payments of matching funds for a Federal Aid grant to create a cooperative forester position in northwestern Nebraska in partnership with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The forester will work directly with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission field staff to promote the management of ponderosa pine habitat in western Nebraska.
• $7,500 for the first of a three-year commitment to help purchase 1,100 acres of land that will connect Platte River Basin Environments property with the Cedar Canyon wildlife management area in western Nebraska
• $5,000 to help purchase a skid steer loader to be used for habitat restoration work including removing invasive species, preparing food plots and conducting prescribed burns in southeastern Nebraska
• $5,000 to assist with purchasing prescribed burning equipment for habitat restoration on wildlife management areas in southeastern Nebraska
• $5,000 to help purchase equipment for private lands habitat restoration and management in south-central Nebraska
• $5,000 in matching funds for congressionally designated statewide habitat restoration programs
• $5,000 for the first year of a two-year commitment in match funds for a Nebraska Environmental Trust Grant aimed at restoring oak woodlands at Ponca State Park in northeastern Nebraska and Indian Cave State Park in southeastern Nebraska
• $5,000 for continued support of the NWTF’s regional wildlife biologist program
• $1,675 for the final payment of a three-year commitment of matching funds for a Nebraska Environmental Trust Grant to restore habitat along the Republican River
• $1,250 to support tree and shrub plantings in the Big Rock Fire Area in northern Nebraska

The NWTF will support many projects that are in partnership with government agencies, conservation groups and landowners. NWTF’s Nebraska chapters have raised and spent more than $517,000 on projects in the state since 1985.

National Wild Turkey Federation

The National Wild Turkey Federation is the leader in upland wildlife habitat conservation in North America. The NWTF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.

Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations throughout North America, spending more than $331 million to conserve nearly 16 million acres of habitat. Wild turkeys and hundreds of other species of upland wildlife, including quail, deer, grouse, pheasant and songbirds, benefit from this improved habitat.

The NWTF also brings new conservationists and hunters into the fold through outdoor education events and its Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin' Sportsmen, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES youth outreach programs. Our dedicated NWTF volunteers introduce about 100,000 people to the outdoors through these programs every year.

Founded in 1973, the NWTF is headquartered in Edgefield, S.C., and has local chapters in every state and Canada. According to many state and federal agencies, the restoration of the wild turkey is arguably the greatest conservation success story in North America's wildlife history.