NWTF in Texas putting your license and partner dollars to work in habitat management
Talk about putting your money where your mouth is - since 2015, the Texas Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) has provided nearly $165,000 to TPWD for habitat management on TPWD Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), as well as $7,000 for fire equipment, and $5,000 for development of an R3 strategic plan. These donated funds have been matched with over $500,000 in TPWD grants (Pittman-Robertson (P-R) funding) to affect acres on the Alazan Bayou, Angelina-Neches/Dam B, Chaparral, James E. Daughtrey, Gus Engeling, Gene Howe, Matador, Muse, Pat Mayse, Taylor Lakes, and Yoakum Dunes WMAs. To date, these wildlife areas have received nearly $657,000 for habitat management and treated over 7,200 acres; projects have included the development of firebreaks, application of prescribed fire, brush management, installation of culverts, prairie restoration, and control of invasive plant species.
Recognizing the significant conservation benefits to our wild lands and the hunters of Texas, Quail Forever (QF) Chapters in Texas made the decision to chart their own course and contribute an additional $25,000 for quail and associated habitat work on WMAs this year. Once again using P-R funds, TPWD will be able to match this donation (3:1), meaning another $100,000 for your public lands!
A huge thank you to both of these great organizations!
By: Jason Hardin, Wild Turkey Program Lead
Read all about what’s going on in Texas in the Texas Park & Wildlife’s inaugural issue of Small Game Field Notes! Charged with the management of all waterbird, waterfowl, and upland game bird species in Texas, the Small Game Program works closely with agency staff, private landowners, and an array of conservation partners across the state. In this quarterly newsletter we plan to provide updates and perspectives on upland and migratory game bird management in Texas, whether it be wild turkey restoration in east Texas or waterfowl populations trends in the Panhandle.