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The wild turkey decline isn’t limited to the boundaries of a state; it is a complex issue that is happening on a larger scale. Likewise, other conservation issues don’t end where a new state begins – forests, waterways and wildlife corridors encompass multiple state boundaries, as do the associated challenges with managing them.

It is for this reason that NWTF state chapters are stepping up to the challenges of the day and funding projects beyond their state boundaries, a new and innovative approach for NWTF chapters.

Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

NWTF Indiana State Chapter supported wild turkey research on behalf of the Tennessee State Chapter, paying $25,000 to cover research expenses after the Tennessee State Chapter already allocated its funding for the year.
Alabama NWTF State Chapter recently allocated $50,000 for use across the 18-state region of the NWTF’s new Habitat for the Hatch initiative.
Georgia NWTF State Chapter also provided $10,000 to the Habitat for the Hatch initiative for its 2024 funding.
Oklahoma NWTF State Chapter contributed $36,000 over three years for the NWTF’s Waterways for Wildlife initiative’s 10-state region.
Additional chapters have provided funds for Waterways for Wildlife over multiple years, including the Texas NWTF State Chapter’s $25,000 contribution, $25,000 from the Kansas state chapter, $18,000 from Nebraska, $10,000 from North Dakota and $5,000 from South Dakota.

What Volunteer Leaders Are Saying

(Photo Credit: Robert Klopp)

“Money raised from fundraising events is not state-specific,” said Patt McFadden, NWTF Indiana State Chapter president. “The money raised is for our mission, the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage. Working across state boundaries with like-minded volunteers, like Mark [Mark Darnell is the Tennessee State Chapter president], solidifies my excitement to continue to do what I can for the NWTF and our beloved wild turkey.”

“The wild turkey decline doesn’t just affect us in Alabama; it affects all as turkey hunters and turkey enthusiasts,” said Scott Brandon, Alabama NWTF State Chapter president. “Through Habitat for the Hatch, we will put the habitat wild turkeys need on the ground to successfully recruit broods year after year in Alabama and across the Southeast. We are proud to invest in this new initiative.”

What NWTF co-CEOs Are Saying

“From habitat enhancement projects at their local WMAs to addressing the larger conservation obstacles that occur across state boundaries, our volunteers are adapting their strategies to ensure the NWTF has all the bases covered,” said NWTF co-CEO Jason Burckhalter. “I challenge our volunteer leaders to continue this forward, landscape-level thinking as we focus on aligning national and state goals for the future of this organization and conservation delivery.”

“Our volunteer leaders are thinking about conservation beyond just their state borders,” said NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff. “Whether it is projects to increase the wild turkey population or ensuring the areas where we hunt, fish and recreate are around for future generations, we applaud our state chapters that are stepping up and addressing challenges on a landscape scale. We commend these efforts, and they do not go unnoticed.”