EDGEFIELD, SC — The Salt River project received the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Land Stewardship Award for its work promoting wildlife habitat management in Arizona.
Elvy Barton, director of forest health management for the Salt River Project, accepted the award on behalf of SRP for 50 years of the NWTF.he 47th anniversary celebrationhe Annual convention and sports extravaganza, sponsored by Mossy Oak.
“SRP is honored to be recognized by the National Wild Turkey Federation with a Land Stewardship Award for our work to ensure healthy forests in Arizona,” Barton said. “Millions of acres of forested land across Arizona remain at high risk from catastrophic wildfires, affecting not only critical water supplies, but also the vitality of its wildlife and habitat. We are excited to work with partners like the NWTF to promote the strategic reduction of Arizona’s forests, which will ensure a resilient water supply for our state’s communities and wildlife. Thank you NWTF for your dedication and collaboration.”
This award honors companies (including individuals or company-supported projects) and/or government agencies that promote wildlife habitat management.
SRP is a not-for-profit, community-based energy and water provider to 2.5 million people in the greater Phoenix area. SRP is also a crucial supporter of forest health and forest restoration in Arizona.
SRP participates in communities and state and federal legislatures, driving social acceptance, public education, and policy decisions that are beneficial to forest health work. They provide financial support from a variety of sources to fund high-priority forest restoration work. General Springs is SRP’s top priority in the Cragin Basin, which contains the CC Cragin Reservoir and Dam, as well as SRP power lines, the Payson City water main and other infrastructure. They support and partner with resource agencies, nonprofits, and other organizations that provide implementation work on the ground. Their support for the National Environmental Policy Law projects has made a difference in getting scientifically sound forest management projects off the ground.
SRP has supported the NWTF’s General Springs Forest Restoration Project by helping to create meaningful relationships with the Town of Payson, Gila and Coconino counties, and have provided or supported matching grant funds for the General Springs Project in the amount total of $761,000.
SRP acknowledges that its water comes from forests located in an area of 13,000 square miles in northern and eastern Arizona. Since 2002, nearly 2.9 million acres of national forests in and around the Salt River, Verde River, and East Clear Creek watersheds have been affected by unusually severe wildfires.
“Our partnership with the Salt River Project embodies all of NWTF’s Four Shared Values,” said NWTF Co-Executive Director Kurt Dyroff. “We look forward to our collaborative efforts to ensure Arizonans have abundant clean water, strong recreational opportunities, resilient communities, and thriving habitat for wildlife. We are proud to recognize SRP as the recipient of our 2023 Earth Stewardship Award.”
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested more than half a billion dollars in wildlife conservation and has conserved or improved more than 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to advance wildlife conservation, forest resiliency, and robust recreational opportunities across the US by working beyond borders at the landscape scale.
2023 is the 50th of the NWTFhe anniversary and an opportunity to push the organization’s mission into the future while honoring its rich history. for his 50he anniversary, the NWTF has set six ambitious goals: positively impact 1 million acres of wildlife habitat; raise $500,000 for wild turkey research; increase membership to 250,000 members; dedicate $1 million to education and outreach programs; raise $5 million to invest in technology and the people of NWTF; and raise $5 million to build a $50 million endowment for the future. Find out how you can help us achieve these lofty goals.