NWTF Announces $25 Million toward Conservation, Outreach in 2010
EDGEFIELD, S.C. – The National Wild Turkey Federation distributed and facilitated the contribution of more than $25 million during the 2010 fiscal year toward its mission of conserving wild turkeys and preserving our hunting heritage. “NWTF volunteers and partners are the best, without a doubt,” said George Thornton, NWTF CEO. “The fact that they raised and invested $25 million in conservation and outreach projects – especially when times are tough economically – proves they are willing to work hard to conserve wildlife and preserve our hunting heritage.”
During the 2010 fiscal year, the NWTF and its partners supported projects that helped improve 689,903 acres of habitat and reached 90,000 people through NWTF outreach programs.
Some projects included improving wildlife habitat, supporting hunter education and providing opportunities for women, youth and people with disabilities to experience outdoor fun through outreach programs.
To date, the NWTF and its partners have invested more than $331 million in upholding hunting traditions and conserving more than 15.9 million acres of wildlife habitat.
Projects included:
* Habitat Enhancement, Wild Turkey Restoration, Management and Research: Helped improve wildlife habitat by supporting the NWTF’s fall seed subsidy and Conservation Seed programs, purchased equipment to improve habitat, created wildlife openings, purchased trapping, law enforcement and research equipment, and provided research grant support
* Youth Education: Funded scholarships and educational projects, introduced youth to shooting sports, provided NWTF Wild About Turkey Education Boxes and conducted 4-H and teacher workshops
* JAKES: Introduced youth to outdoor activities, conservation and hunting through the JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) program
* Volunteer and Professional Education: Provided educational opportunities, purchased staff equipment and more
* Hunting Heritage: Protected and promoted our hunting heritage by contributing to organizations including the National Shooting Sports Foundation and U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance
* Land Purchases: Purchased land or conservation easements to conserve wildlife habitat and provide additional hunting areas
* Women in the Outdoors and Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF: Purchased materials and equipment to provide opportunities for women and people with disabilities to participate in outdoor activities and learn about wildlife conservation through Women in the Outdoors and Wheelin’ Sportsmen NWTF outreach events across North America
* Hunter Safety: Supported hunter safety classes and initiatives and purchased hunter safety materials and equipment such as interactive shooting systems
The NWTF is a national nonprofit conservation organization that was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Edgefield, S.C.
