NWTF Wildfire Crisis Strategy Year One Report Now Available
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation and the USDA Forest Service made substantial progress in the first year of their collaborative National Master National Stewardship Agreement. Forged in 2022, projects in support of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy have treated thousands of acres in high-priority landscapes to create healthy, resilient forests within the agreement’s first year. The 2022-2023 progress report is now available (see link below).
The landscape-scale work the NWTF is accomplishing through the Wildfire Crisis Strategy is making a difference in water resources, forest health and wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities and the overall safety for communities situated near the threat of catastrophic wildfire. The NWTF’s involvement in the Wildfire Crisis Strategy stems from the organization’s impact on the wild turkey and America’s natural resources; wild turkeys and many wildlife species thrive in well-managed ecosystems that are resilient to catastrophic wildfire.
Last year’s successes include the launch of the Colt Forest Stewardship Project and the Timber Transport Pilot Project in California. In response to the large-scale devastation caused by wildfires in California, the projects were developed to tackle severe wildfire risks and offer solutions to oversaturated local wood markets. These projects made significant strides in timber management while bolstering timber markets and supporting rural economies.
The partnership also expanded into new regions, setting the stage for further transformative efforts in forest health and forest resiliency to catastrophic wildfire. In Region 6, efforts advanced the Wildfire Crisis Strategy within the Klamath River Basin Landscape. Likewise, in Region 2, the Shared Stewardship Agreement launched projects in the Big Horn, White River and San Juan National Forests across Wyoming and Colorado, with implementation scheduled for 2025.
Additionally, the NWTF also enhanced its capacity to manage these vital projects with new hires dedicated to overseeing the Wildfire Crisis Strategy within specific Forest Service administrative regions.
For an in-depth look at these achievements, read the full accomplishment report here.
Learn more about the Wildfire Crisis Strategy and the relationship between wild turkeys and catastrophic wildfire prevention.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 23 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.