MONTGOMERY-The Alabama Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) recently allocated nearly $184,000 in Hunting Heritage Super Funds and Tag Funds for wild turkey projects in Alabama. Of that total, $42,074 was donated to the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) to fund projects including wildlife habitat management.
“We are proud to partner with ADCNR on the conservation of wild turkey in Alabama,” said Scott Brandon, Alabama NWTF Chapter President. “Working together we can ensure this important natural resource is available to future generations of Alabamians.”
Of the total NWTF allocation, $141,926 was approved for other turkey projects statewide. That funding makes $531,746 in matching funds provided by other conservation partners available to positively impact approximately 121,000 acres statewide through the enhancement of turkey habitat that fits nicely with the NWTF’s Habitat for the Hatch Initiative with a total program value of $853,691. The funding also supports efforts to increase access to hunting opportunities and investigate wild turkey declines.
L-R: Steven Mitchell, Supervising Wildlife Biologist; Scott Brandon, NWTF Chapter President; Chuck Sykes, Director, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries; Seth Madox, Assistant Chief, Wildlife Section
Photo by: Billy Pope
Most of the funding donated to WFF will be used on Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and Special Opportunity Areas (SOA) throughout the state to support habitat management and other wild turkey programs. Some of the donation will also be used to purchase much-needed wildlife habitat management equipment.
“Since federal matching dollars play such a major role in how our division is funded, contributions like this are extremely important,” said Chuck Sykes, WFF Director. “More than $34,000 of this generous donation offers us access to federal matching dollars, which makes the donation go even further.”
WFF is primarily funded by money generated through the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. That money is then matched on a nearly three to one ratio by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through funds allocated to Alabama from the Pittman-Robertson Act.
“With NWTF’s assistance we will continue working to ensure the future of this resource for generations to come,” said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner. “We thank the Alabama Chapter’s Board of Directors for helping to support the conservation of wild turkey in Alabama.”
In addition to the monetary donation, the Alabama NWTF chapter provides financial support for prescribed burning projects that help manage for quality habitat on public hunting areas, costs associated with public hunting land acquisitions, the Adult Mentored Hunting Program, the Archery in the Schools State Championship and the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program.
Media Release/Steven Mitchell/Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
