EDGEFIELD, SC—NWTF’s Waterways for Wildlife Initiative is beginning another round of funding for critical riparian conservation projects in 2023.
Launched by the NWTF in 2022, the burgeoning Wildlife Waterways Initiative made significant progress in improving wildlife habitat along water corridors in its first year through 14 Shovel Ready Projectscurrently underway and with the goal of improving approximately 7,677 acres of wildlife habitat and impacting nearly 80 miles of streams.
By 2023, the Waterways for Wildlife initiative seeks to expand its impact on critical riparian habitat. The landscape-scale initiative is once again accepting applications for financial assistance in support of projects that improve wildlife habitat in riparian systems and those with direct water conservation benefit.
Eligible parties include federal, state, and local agencies and entities, conservation organizations, colleges/universities, and private property owners currently working through a recognized federal, state, or local government-sponsored conservation assistance program.
“Through collaboration with our partners, we will end up delivering nearly $3 million in critical conservation work in just one year,” said Jared McJunkin, NWTF director of conservation operations for the Midwest. “We look forward to continuing the collaborative efforts established in just one year to ensure that riparian areas are conserved in perpetuity.”
Over the next 10 years, NWTF’s Waterways for Wildlife seeks to raise $10 million in private funding and mobilize $40 million in partner matching funds to enhance 75,000 acres of wildlife habitat along 1,500 linear miles of waterways in the landscape of the Great Plains.
Riparian areas are a natural magnet for wild turkeys and hundreds of other wildlife. These areas are also crucial for fish and other aquatic life, as they help control erosion and filter excess nutrients and chemicals from surface runoff that can negatively affect spawning and nursery grounds. Riparian areas also control flooding, improve water quality, and meet community and agricultural water supply demands while recharging groundwater aquifers.
Download the application forms.
Learn more about the NWTF’s Waterways for Wildlife initiative.
For more information on application eligibility, contact McJunkin at [email protected].
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 NWTFthe anniversary and an opportunity to push the organization’s mission into the future while honoring its rich history. for his 50the 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.