The NWTF & USDA Sign $50M Agreement to Fight Wildfire Crisis

The USDA have come together with the NWTF in a landmark wildlife conservation agreement, a first of its kind. The $50 million agreement allows for these partner organizations to address the wildfire crisis in the West. Funds from the new bipartisan infrastructure law will allow the Forest Service to amplify its efforts with other land-owning entities. These include federal agencies, conservation partners, tribes, states and local communities. They aim to work across boundaries and make a landscape-level impact to combat America’s wildfire crisis over the next decade.

Wildfire Crisis Strategy

The Wildfire Crisis Strategy by the USDA Forest Service outlines the implementation plans, priorities and timelines for accomplishing hazardous fuels reduction. Overgrown forests, a warming climate, and a growing number of homes in the wildland-urban interface, following more than a century of rigorous fire suppression, have all contributed to what is now a full-blown wildfire and forest health crisis.

Over the next 10 years, the Wildfire Crisis Strategy will focus on a scaled-up, cross-boundary approach. They estimate 20 million acres of hazardous fuels on National Forest Service lands will be treated. This is close to 10 times the current level being accomplished today. If they’re successful, it will stretch 30 million acres beyond National Forest Service lands.

NWTF & The Forest Service

Under this agreement, the NWTF aims to improve forest health and fish and wildlife habitat while reducing wildfire risk. The work includes vegetation management and transporting wood fiber from over-supplied areas. The work also includes supporting the Forest Service efforts to promote commercial use of forest products
This agreement is largest in the NWTF’s 50-year history and they’re the largest and longest-serving nongovernmental partner involved in Forest Service stewardship agreements.

“This long-term master stewardship agreement builds on a 40-year history of successful regional conservation partnerships between the NWTF and the Forest Service that have delivered on our organization’s mission of conserving habitat for wild turkey and preserving our nation’s hunting heritage,” said co-CEO Becky Humphries. “NWTF is proud to work with the Forest Service to enhance habitat and make America’s forests healthier and safer, and to accelerate the pace and scope of this vital work.”

The partnership between the NWTF and the Forest Service works especially well because the work done to benefit wild turkey habitat and other wildlife has considerable, far-reaching benefits to overall forest health, water supply, biodiversity and ecological health.

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 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $8.5 million into wild turkey research to ensure the wild turkey population remains healthy. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale to increase clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities across the U.S. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the National Wild Turkey Federation will continue its work to provide Healthy Habitats and Healthy Harvests for future generations.