EDGEFIELD, S.C. –-(Ammoland.com)- The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)’s Florida State Chapter recently provided more than $70,000 in funding for habitat improvement projects across Florida’s National Forests, as well as 22 state-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), including several State Forests.
These projects are improving wildlife habitat for wild turkeys and other species across Florida including the red-cockaded woodpecker, bobwhite quail and the Florida black bear. They are also strengthening timber stands and reducing the threat of wildfires.
When/Where: Projects are ongoing through 2009 and will occur in the Apalachicola, Ocala and Osceola National Forests and 22 WMAs throughout Florida.
Why: Habitat loss is a key threat to Florida’s diverse range of wildlife. The NWTF and its partners, including the U.S. Forest Service, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Florida Division of Forestry and others are taking proactive measures to conserve wildlife resources on both public and private land.
Who: The NWTF is a national nonprofit conservation organization that was founded in 1973 and has worked with wildlife agencies to restore wild turkey populations from 1.3 million wild turkeys to nearly 7 million today. Now, NWTF volunteers raise funds and work daily to improve critical wildlife habitat, increase access to public hunting land and introduce new people to the outdoors and hunting.
About the NWTF: In 1973, Tom Rodgers founded the National Wild Turkey Federation in Fredericksburg, Va., as a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization with a mission dedicated to conserving wild turkeys and preserving hunting traditions. Shortly thereafter, Rodgers relocated the NWTF to Edgefield, S.C., where it’s still headquartered today.
At the time NWTF was established, there were only 1.3 million wild turkeys. Today that number stands at more than seven million birds throughout North America, thanks to the efforts of state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members and partners.
Growth and progress define the NWTF as it has expanded from 1,300 members in 1973 to nearly a half million today. With that growth has come impressive strides in wildlife management as the NWTF has forged dynamic partnerships across the country to further its conservation mission. Together, the NWTF’s partners, sponsors and grassroots members have raised and spent more than $279 million upholding hunting traditions and conserving nearly 14 million acres of wildlife habitat.
While wild turkey restoration is nearing completion, the NWTF still has much work to do. Across North America, supporters are working to enhance habitat for wild turkeys and other wildlife while providing hunters with more opportunities and access to public and private land. In addition, NWTF volunteers and partners are introducing youth, women and people with disabilities to the outdoors through special educational events.
If you would like to become a member of Team NWTF, join a committee or start a chapter, please visit our Web site at www.nwtf.org or call us at 800-THE-NWTF.