EDGEFIELD, SOUTH CAROLINA -

The National Wild Turkey Federation distributed more than $143,000 in June 2009 as it continues to advance its mission of benefiting wildlife conservation and protecting hunting traditions. The monies are distributed to states and programs through the NWTF Hunting Heritage Super Fund.

The Hunting Heritage Super Fund supports the NWTF's multitude of conservation and education programs with money raised from NWTF Hunting Heritage Banquets, donated by corporate sponsors and given to support wildlife conservation.

The NWTF is a national nonprofit conservation organization that was founded in 1973 and has worked with wildlife agencies to restore wild turkey populations from 1.3 million wild turkeys in 1973 to nearly seven million today. Now, NWTF volunteers raise funds and work daily to improve critical wildlife habitat, increase access to public hunting land and introduce new people to the outdoors and hunting.

To date, the NWTF and its partners have spent more than $286 million upholding hunting traditions and conserving nearly 14 million acres of wildlife habitat. Some of the Federation's Hunting Heritage Super Fund projects include improving wildlife habitat, supporting hunter education and providing opportunities for women, youth and people with disabilities to experience outdoor fun through outreach programs.

June's Hunting Heritage Super Fund spending totaled more than $143,371 and included:


•Youth Education: Spent $33,146 to fund scholarships and educational projects, introduce youth to shooting sports, provide education boxes and conduct 4-H workshops.

•Habitat Enhancement: Spent $30,589 to improve wildlife habitat by creating more wild turkey nesting areas, planting trees and completing water development projects.

•JAKES: Spent $23,260 to introduce youth to outdoor activities, conservation and hunting through the JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) program.

•Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF/Women's Programs: Spent $11,400 to provide opportunities for women and people with disabilities to participate in outdoor activities and learn about wildlife conservation through Wheelin' Sportsmen and Women in the Outdoors outreach events across North America.

•Land Purchases: Spent $9,450 to purchase land or conservation easements to conserve wildlife habitat and provide additional hunting areas.

•Hunter Safety: Spent $3,217 to support hunter safety classes and initiatives, purchase hunter safety materials and equipment.

•Other: Spent $32,308 to complete wild turkey management plans, protect and promote hunting traditions, purchase equipment for future habitat projects, provide educational opportunities, purchase staff equipment and fund organizational dues, etc.

In addition to helping fund projects like these, NWTF Hunting Heritage Super Fund banquets combine fun, fellowship and dedication to the wild turkey. They're a great place to meet friends who are passionate about the outdoors, win valuable prizes and buy items unique to the NWTF. Place the highest bid and you could go home with sporting art, hunting guns, knives, calls, outdoor equipment and more.

A photo slideshow is available with this press release at http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/press_releases.php?id=12928

To find a NWTF Hunting Heritage Super Fund Banquet in your area, visit http://www.nwtf.org/h_h_banquet.html.

For more information about the NWTF or specific information on these projects, contact Brian Purtymun at (803) 637-7667 or visit www.nwtf.org.

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