Iowa Super Fund Projects Strengthen Habitat and Hunting Opportunities Across the State

The NWTF’s Super Fund is a funding model through which volunteers raise money at banquets and other fundraisers and allocate a significant portion of those proceeds to impactful conservation, research and outreach projects at the state level and beyond.

Together, a series of Iowa projects highlight how NWTF partnerships are delivering meaningful conservation on the ground — benefiting wildlife and hunters alike.

Restoring Oak Woodlands at Three Mile Lake

At Three Mile Lake Wildlife Management Area, nearly 75 acres of oak-hickory woodland are being improved through targeted forest management designed to enhance habitat quality for wild turkeys and other wildlife.

These semi-open forests are heavily used by turkeys and are easily accessible to public hunters. But like many Midwestern woodlands, invasive shrubs and overcrowded trees have reduced the quality of the understory.

Through thinning, midstory removal and invasive species control, paired with prescribed fire, managers are restoring sunlight to the forest floor, encouraging native vegetation and boosting insect production.

For turkeys, that means improved brood habitat and increased acorn production. For hunters, it means healthier forests and better access to birds on public land.

Fire as a Foundation for Habitat at Red Rock

In central Iowa, prescribed fire continues to play a critical role in maintaining wildlife habitat across the Red Rock Wildlife Unit.

With support from NWTF, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investing in a new prescribed fire unit that will allow staff to safely and efficiently burn more than 2,000 acres of habitat each year.

Fire helps reset plant communities, control invasive species and stimulate new growth — all of which are essential for creating the diverse habitat turkeys need for nesting and brood rearing.

This investment ensures that habitat work can continue at scale, maintaining both prairie and woodland systems that benefit turkeys and a wide range of other wildlife.

Reviving Prairie and Savanna in Madison County

In southern Iowa, a prairie restoration effort is bringing new life to one of the region’s most popular public hunting areas.

At the Clanton Creek Natural Resource Area in Madison County, crews are removing invasive eastern red cedar from prairie and oak savanna habitats that have long been used by wild turkeys.

More than 70 acres will be improved through cedar removal, opening the canopy and restoring conditions that more closely resemble Iowa’s historic landscape. The work will also establish permanent fire breaks that double as access trails for hunters and outdoor recreationists.

The result will be a more functional ecosystem that supports turkey nesting and brood-rearing habitat while also improving hunter access across the property.

Investing in the Tools for Conservation in Benton County

While habitat work is often measured in acres, it depends heavily on having the right equipment to get the job done.

In Benton County, NWTF support is helping the county conservation board purchase a tractor that will be used to manage more than 1,300 acres of public land, including extensive turkey habitat.

This equipment will support a wide range of conservation activities, from timber stand improvement and invasive species control to food plot establishment and prescribed fire preparation.

By improving efficiency and expanding management capabilities, the tractor will help create and maintain the early successional habitats that turkeys depend on for nesting and brood rearing while also improving access for hunters across the landscape.

Why This Work Matters to NWTF Members

Each of these projects represents a different piece of the conservation puzzle, from forest management, prescribed fire, prairie restoration and equipment investment, all sharing a common goal: sustaining healthy wild turkey populations and preserving hunting opportunities.

For NWTF members, this is the direct impact of their support.

Super Fund dollars raised at local banquets are invested back into states like Iowa, where they are matched with partner funding to maximize conservation impact. These projects not only improve habitat but also ensure that public lands remain accessible, productive and enjoyable for hunters.

From better wild turkey habitat, improved access and long-term habitat management, the benefits of these efforts will be felt for years to come. Across Iowa, NWTF and its partners are proving that when conservationists come together, meaningful change happens.