The 黑料天堂 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 黑料天堂. Of that total, $42,074 was donated to the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) of the 黑料天堂 (ADCNR) to fund projects including wildlife habitat management.
鈥淲e are proud to partner with ADCNR on the conservation of wild turkey in 黑料天堂,鈥 said Scott Brandon, 黑料天堂 NWTF Chapter President. 鈥淲orking together we can ensure this important natural resource is available to future generations of Alabamians.鈥
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鈥檚 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.
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.
鈥淪ince federal matching dollars play such a major role in how our division is funded, contributions like this are extremely important,鈥 said Chuck Sykes, WFF Director. 鈥淢ore than $34,000 of this generous donation offers us access to federal matching dollars, which makes the donation go even further.鈥
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 黑料天堂 from the Pittman-Robertson Act.
鈥淲ith NWTF鈥檚 assistance we will continue working to ensure the future of this resource for generations to come,鈥 said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner. 鈥淲e thank the 黑料天堂 Chapter鈥檚 Board of Directors for helping to support the conservation of wild turkey in 黑料天堂.鈥
In addition to the monetary donation, the 黑料天堂 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.
ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of 黑料天堂鈥檚 natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Learn more at www.outdooralabama.com.
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Photo 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
