The NWTF Super Fund is administered jointly by the NWTF, its state and provincial chapters and wildlife agencies, and supports conservation and education programs.

Since 1985, NWTF chapters in New York have raised and spent more than $1.6 million on wildlife habitat enhancements, land purchases, education, outreach and more within the state. NWTF chapters and cooperating partners across North America have raised and spent more than $286 million upholding hunting traditions and conserving nearly 14 million acres of wildlife habitat.

"The New York State Chapter is dedicated to improving wildlife habitat and increasing outreach efforts, and is backing up their commitment with the funds to make needed changes," said James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D., the NWTF's chief conservation officer. "By directing dollars to wildlife habitat improvements, and strengthening outreach and education programs, the New York State Chapter is helping enhance habitat for all kinds of wildlife while making a better outdoor experience, not just for hunters     but for everyone."

Hunters are important to the state's economy, too. The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation reports that New York hunters spend $788 million and 9.4 million days afield pursuing their sport each year.

The targeted projects approved by the New York State Chapter Super Fund Committee and Board of Directors include:

• $28,600 allocated to uphold outdoor traditions through the NWTF's JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) outreach program, educational programs and scholarships for youth. Of this money, the new York State Chapter will donate $11,000 to fund local and state chapter scholarships; $10,000 to fund 25 local chapter JAKES events; $4,000 to support 4-H programs in New York; $2,000 to provide NWTF Wild About Turkey Education Boxes; $1,000 to support the National Archery in the Schools program; and $600 to provide educational booths at sportsmen shows.

The NWTF's New York State Board of Directors dedicated $67,980 to accomplish the following Hunting Heritage Super Fund projects in 2009, which will benefit New York's resident and non-resident sportsmen:

• $16,200 allocated to help provide NWTF Hunting Heritage Club members with seed to plant to benefit wildlife through the Conservation Seed Program and the Seed Subsidy Program.
   
• $15,000 allocated to improve habitat on public lands across the state. Projects planned for 2009 on state and federal lands include: 
  
  
  • Maintaining wildlife openings to improve wild turkey brood-raising habitat in the Tassel Hill State Forest in Oneida County;
     
  • Maintaining wildlife openings to improve wild turkey habitat on the Cuyler Hill State Forest in Cortland County;
     
  • Controlling invasive plant species within the Deer Creek Marsh Wildlife Management Area (WMA) to prevent invasive plant species from overtaking openings in Oswego County; and
     
  • Maintaining wildlife openings for wild turkey broods, planting crabapple seedlings through the NWTF's Operation Appleseed program and providing standing corn for winter food plots on the Carlton Hill WMA in Wyoming County.
     
• $10,780 allocated to miscellaneous projects including organizational dues, state and local chapter leadership meetings and chapter rebates.
   
• $8,500 allocated to fund "Turkey Tales," the New York State Chapter's bi-annual newsletter, which keeps the state chapter's members informed about activities and programs across the state so they know what their money and efforts are accomplishing.
   
• $8,000 allocated to fund projects including: 
  
  
  • A chestnut research project with the New York State Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry to assist in developing a blight resistant strain of chestnut tree;
     
  • A study to determine wild turkey harvest potential in different regions of the state, which will be conducted by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry; and
     
  • A wild turkey research project to evaluate the wild turkey population on Long Island.
     
• $4,000 allocated to protect and promote the hunting tradition through contributions to the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, the New York State Conservation Council, the New York State Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus and the Hunting Heritage Super Fund.
   
• $3,000 allocated to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in outdoor activities and learn about wildlife conservation.
   
• $1,500 allocated to fund Wild Turkey Woodland Landowner Recognition Awards and workshops.
   
• $800 allocated to protect wild turkeys and other wildlife through reward payments to people that turn in wild turkey poachers.
   
• $200 allocated to assist with trapping wild turkeys and banding wild turkey gobblers in New York.

For more information about the NWTF and its programs, call (800) THE-NWTF or visit www.nwtf.org.