The Wisconsin State Chapter of the NWTF recently met to review Hunting Heritage Super Fund project proposals for 2023 funding awards. After the reviewing and ranking process, proposals were presented to and approved by the Wisconsin Board of Directors. The Board of Directors budgeted $30,700 for conservation projects and $40,000 for Hunting Heritage-related projects including outreach-education events, chapter scholarships and 4H Shooting Sports support.
"NWTF staff and our conservation partners are thankful for the talented volunteers who generate these funds to be available to continue our mission in Wisconsin," said Clayton Lenk, NWTF district biologist for Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. "The projects that are funded for 2023 will greatly impact the wild turkey in our focal landscapes and also provide more public hunting opportunities for outdoorsmen and women throughout the state."
NWTF conservation project award funding will be matched with $1,076,000 in partner or grant funds for the approved projects, representing a 35:1 match rate for NWTF project funding.
Conservation Project Funding = $30,700
Projects awarded funding for 2023 occur in the Driftless Area and Central Wisconsin Focal Landscapes. Specific project awards include:

• $15,000 – Kenosha School Forest Acquisition: This project will help acquire 132.8 acres of School Forest Lands that will eventually be donated to the DNR and become public lands. These funds are being used in conjunction with Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funds, Bong Naturalist Association funds, North American Wetland Conservation Act funds and private donations.
• $13,200 – WDNR Turkey Partnership Project: This project will restore 381 acres of native prairie remnants along the Mississippi River. Work will take place on Sugar Creek Bluff and Rush Creek State Natural Areas. Project work will include prescribed burning, timber stand improvement, invasives removal and herbaceous weed control. These funds will be used in conjunction with WDNR funds as well as donated equipment and time from volunteers.
• $2,500 – Kinnickinnic Pheasants Forever Shrub Planting: Native shrubs will be planted across five acres on five different WMA's to enhance cover and foraging opportunities for turkeys and pheasants. This funding will be used in conjunction with funds provided by Pheasants Forever and the WDNR as well as time provided by volunteers.

Hunting Heritage Funding = $40,000
This funding was approved to support education/outreach efforts in Wisconsin including JAKES, WITO, Wheelin’ Sportsmen, scholarships, hunter’s education and the National Archery in the Schools Program.
Partners include Bong Naturalist Association, Duck Unlimited, Mississippi Valley Conservancy, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Pheasants Forever.

Only a few spots left for this year's event! Make sure to sign up soon using the link below! Registration closes August 1st! Hope to see you there!

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Congratulations to Sarah Brokopp, the first place winner of the 2022 Wisconsin NWTF State Scholarship competition. Sarah was recognized for her  accomplishment and awarded a check for $1,500 from Wisconsin NWTF Board of Directors. The presentation took place at Monticello High School along with the Pecatonica Valley Turkey Trackers Chapter.

Congratulations to Emmalee Golembiewski, the second place winner of the 2022 Wisconsin NWTF State Scholarship competition. Emmalee was recognized for her accomplishment and awarded a check for $750 from Wisconsin NWTF Board of Directors. The presentation was held at the Annual NWTF Logan’s Longbeards Chapter Hunting Heritage Banquet.

Scholarship applications are reviewed based on academics, leadership, community involvement, and student essay. For more information on the Wisconsin NWTF Scholarship Program please visit the state website at nwtf-wi.org .

With generous support by the Wisconsin NWTF, the MacKenzie Center is hosting the annual Midwest Outdoor Heritage Education Expo for 4th-6th grade classrooms.  Registration is required for this free event.  Visit www.outdoorheritageeducationcenter.com to register and learn more.

We are actively looking for volunteers to assist the NWTF on the day of the event.  Please reach out to  Roger Clark at (715) 212-5978 or rrsclark@charter.net.

The Wisconsin DNR will be holding Learn to Hunts in Spring 2022.

All information and forms for Learn to Hunts can be found on the Wisconsin DNR Learn to Hunt Web Page.

If you have additional questions, you can contact Wisconsin DNR Hunting R3 Coordinator, Emily Iehl: Emily.Iehl@Wisconsin.gov, 608 445 8168.

​Have a safe and enjoyable hunt this spring!
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