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Louisiana NWTF Super Fund Project Information |
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Administered jointly by the NWTF, its state
chapters and state wildlife agencies, the Wild Turkey Super Fund
is used for projects that support the conservation of the wild
turkey and preservation of the hunting tradition. Nationally,
NWTF chapters and cooperating partners have raised and spent
more than $224 million for wild turkey conservation. Since 1985
over $1,410,070 has been
raised and spent by Louisiana chapters on projects within the
state.
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Partnership Purchases Three Native Warm Season Grass Drills
for Louisiana Landowners |
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printed from
nwtf.org |
While native warm season grass
areas provide excellent food and cover for wildlife, planting
the seed requires specialized equipment that many landowners
can't justify purchasing.
To promote native warm season grasses throughout Louisiana, the
National Wild Turkey Federation Louisiana State Chapter recently
donated $10,000 to purchase three native warm season grass
drills, which will be available to landowners for a nominal fee.
The funds were combined with grants provided by the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
and Quail Unlimited through a partnership to enhance wildlife
habitat for wild turkeys and other grassland bird species.
"Native warm season grasses provide excellent food and shelter
for wild turkeys, and many other species of wildlife," said Joe
Koloski, NWTF regional biologist for Louisiana. "Native warm
season grasses benefit both wildlife and landowners."
As conservation agencies and organizations promote the benefits
of native warm season grasses, landowner interest has increased,
especially as landowners become aware of federal wildlife
enhancement programs. An example of these programs would be the
Farm Service Agency's Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). One
program in the CRP known as Habitat Buffers for Upland Birds
offers farmers incentives to plant native vegetation borders
around agriculture fields. These borders provide great habitat
for wildlife such as quail and wild turkeys.
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, a sister-agency
to FSA, also offers several programs to help landowners reduce
costs when planting native grasses. The Wildlife Habitat
Incentives Program offers funds for landowners to establish
native warm season grasses.
Another CRP, Permanent Wildlife Cover, pays farmers to convert
agriculture land to trees, shrubs and grass, and requires that
at least 20 percent of the cover be native grasses and forbs.
"The NRCS programs help landowners enhance their property for
wildlife, and these native warm season grass drills will help
landowners qualify for more programs," Koloski said.
The native warm season grass drills will be administered through
the Louisiana Resource Conservation & Development councils. The
drills will rotate around the seven RC&D districts according to
landowner need. Contact your local RC&D office to inquire about
the use of the native warm season grass drills.
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Partnership Improves Wildlife Populations on Bayou Bodcau |
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printed from
nwtf.org |
SHREVEPORT, La. - Northwest
Louisiana hunters stand to benefit from a partnership between
the National Wild Turkey Federation and U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers that's enhancing habitat for wildlife.
The NWTF Louisiana State Chapter donated $8,000 to establish 52
acres of openings on the Bayou Bodcau wildlife management.
Openings provide food and cover for wild turkeys and a variety
of other wildlife.
"Openings are an important part of wildlife habitat, especially
for birds such as wild turkeys," said Joe Koloski, NWTF regional
biologist for Louisiana. "Hens use openings to raise their
broods, and as the birds grow they continue to use openings for
food and cover."
Through the partnership, the NWTF provided funds for seed,
fertilizer and lime for the openings while U.S. ACE personnel
created the openings on the nearly 35,000 acre hunting area.
"The main purpose of the Bayou Bodcau Reservoir is flood
control, but we try to manage for wildlife," said Tony Porter,
U.S. ACE. "When you have that large of an area, you have to do
some forest and wildlife management."
Wildlife, especially wild turkeys, benefit from small, grassy
openings in forests. These openings provide variety to wildlife
that live in the edges between openings and thick forests. Most
wildlife prefer, and benefit from, a selection of food sources.
Projects conducted by the NWTF in partnership with federal,
state and local agencies enhance habitat for wild turkeys by
planting food producing plants and trees, conducting prescribed
burns and improving overall forest health.
Since 1985, NWTF chapters have spent more than $1.6 million in
the Pelican State on conservation and outreach projects such as
hunter education, public land purchase, research and habitat
enhancement.
"Louisiana is a hunter's paradise, and NWTF Louisiana is trying
to make it even better," Koloski said.
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A listing of 2005 projects is provided below. |
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2005
Hunting Heritage Superfund Expenditures |
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Hunting Heritage
- NASC, USSA, Hunting
Heritage Fund, NASP |
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$34,508 |
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Women In The Outdoor (WITO)
- 3 Events |
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$750 |
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JAKES Program
- State Event, 5 Local Events |
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$4,475 |
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Wheelin' Sportsmen Program |
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$5,000 |
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Education Program
- Leadership Conf., Ed. Material/Boxes, Website |
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$6,908 |
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Law Enforcement Support |
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$7,662 |
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Research |
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$10,375 |
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Habitat Enhancement on
Public & Private Lands |
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$28,139 |
| Other |
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$16,476 |
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Total
Expenditures 2005 |
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$117,543 |
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Click here to download a detailed report
with a complete listing of 2005 Expenditures. |
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