Alabama State Chapter of the NWTF Donates Nearly $390,000 for Wild Turkey Habitat Projects

The Alabama Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) has committed $389,018 in Hunting Heritage Super Funds and Tag Funds to wild-turkey conservation across the State. Of that total, $80,214 has been directed to the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) specifically for projects such as wildlife habitat management.

“We are proud to partner with NWTF on the conservation of wild turkey in Alabama and thank the State Chapter for this generous donation,” said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner. “Working together we can ensure this important natural resource is available to future generations of Alabamians.”

Of the total allocation by the Alabama NWTF Chapter, $308,804 was earmarked for other turkey-related projects Statewide. That funding unlocks $1,462,361 in matching contributions from other conservation partners, enabling work on 206,317 acres across Alabama under the NWTF’s “Habitat for the Hatch” initiative (bringing total program value to $1,851,380). The funding will also support efforts to expand hunting access and investigate wild-turkey declines.

“The Alabama State Chapter continues to serve as a national model for sustained partnerships with our state agencies,” said Scott Brandon, Alabama NWTF Chapter President. “Wild turkeys and other species are directly affected by the decisions we make each year. Ground-level projects, combined with strategic equipment investments, have driven significant improvements in wild turkey habitat. I look forward to further strengthening our agency partnerships and creating new opportunities to enhance and establish habitat across the state.”

Most of the funds allocated to WFF will be invested in conservation efforts on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and Special Opportunity Areas (SOAs) throughout Alabama. Part of the donation will also buy needed habitat-management equipment.

“Federal matching dollars play a major role in how our division is funded, so contributions like this are extremely important to the conservation of wild turkey in Alabama,” said Fred Harders, Acting WFF Director. “More than $62,000 of this generous donation offers us access to federal matching dollars, making the donation go even further.”

The WFF is largely funded by revenue from hunting and fishing licenses, which in turn are matched nearly three-to-one by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via the Pittman‑Robertson Act.

In addition to the monetary contribution, the Alabama NWTF Chapter supports prescribed-burning projects for habitat, land acquisitions for public hunting, the Adult Mentored Hunting Program, and the Archery in the Schools State Championship.

The ADCNR promotes stewardship, wise management and the enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through its four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.

For more information on the Alabama Chapter of the NWTF, visit https://www.nwtf.org/chapters/alabama-state-chapter-al.