NWTF Donation to Alabama’s Conservation Department Supports Wildlife Management
Alabama DCNR 03.24.14
The Alabama Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (ACNWTF) recently presented a check for $25,627 to the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division for the purchase of 14.6 acres of wildlife habitat at Barbour Wildlife Management Area.
According to WFF Director Chuck Sykes, the ACNWTF continues to be a great benefactor to the agency in its efforts to acquire wildlife habitat in Alabama. “The great thing about this donation is that we are able to utilize the money as match when purchasing additional lands with state and federal funds at Barbour WMA in the future,” he said. “A three-to-one match means we can utilize approximately $77,000 additional dollars of federal money on a future land purchase in lieu of state dollars. This federal match is an important part of how our department is funded. The money generated by license sales to hunters is matched through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Since we don’t receive an appropriation from the state’s General Fund, contributions such as this one are extremely important. I thank ACNWTF for all of their support and for this generous donation,” Sykes said.
According to Sykes, the purchase will bring a boundary line of Barbour WMA out to a county road as opposed to being offset from the road. This will improve access and allow WFF to better manage the wildlife resources on Barbour WMA.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.
