This is a copy of the remarks made at the June 21, 2010 meeting of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission by Executive Director Nick Wiley along with other comments made by the Commissioners and the Chair…….
FWC & NWTF Partnership
Since 1985, the Florida Chapter of the NWTF has raised and spent over $2.2 million dollars on projects within Florida . These projects have improved wildlife habitat, promoted hunting and wildlife conservation through various venues including the JAKES, Women in the Outdoors, and Wheeling Sportsman programs, allowed for research to improve wildlife management, assisted with wild turkey restoration programs, and the list goes on and on.
Just to highlight some of these accomplishments:
Beginning in 1994, the Florida Chapter of the NWTF and FWC developed a cost-share program whereby NWTF superfund dollars were matched with FWC Turkey Permit revenues to fund management projects on Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), purchase equipment, and conduct research. During the first year, $15,463 in funding was provided for 6 projects on 6 WMAs. This year, $254,598 in funding was provided for 44 projects on 32 WMAs and a research project. During the 16 year history of this cost share program, almost $2 million has been provided to fund these projects to improve wildlife management throughout Florida . In addition to the funding that has been provided, NWTF volunteers have donated their time and sweat to assist with accomplishing many of these projects, thereby increasing the value of NWTF’s contribution.
Beginning in 2006, the NWTF joined a partnership with the FWC and the US Forest Service to cooperatively fund a wild turkey biologist position to support wild turkey management on National Forests and other WMAs, oversee the superfund cost-share program, and to assist with landowner workshops, field days, and other outreach events.
Then in 2008, the NWTF joined another partnership with the FWC and the Florida Division of Forestry (DOF) to cooperatively fund a 2nd wild turkey biologist position to support wild turkey management on State Forests and other WMAs, implement and oversee a cost share program between NWTF, DOF, and the Friends of State Forests, and to assist with landowner workshops, field days, and other outreach events.
Then in 2009, the NWTF joined yet another partnership with the FWCto cooperatively fund a Youth Hunting Program Coordinator. This position has been instrumental in promoting the Youth Hunting Program of Florida through establishing relationships with private landowners, training hunt masters and volunteers, recruiting youth to participate in sponsored hunts and events, and assisting with the operation of the Beau Turner Conservation Center and associated Youth field days.
NWTF volunteers played a leadership role in the 2005 Summit on the Future of Hunting in Florida and provided significant funding support. The NWTF remains fully engaged in building a non-profit organization to focus on the Future of Hunting in Florida .
The NWTF state chapter has donated over $26,000 to help implement the National Archery in the Schools Program. With their help, this program has now been successfully deployed in over 200 schools across Florida .
NWTF volunteers and funding played a key role in helping restore wild turkey populations in Holmes County , Guana River WMA, and Everglades National Park .
NWTF donated over $15,000 to our Ocala Conservation Center to remodel the bathrooms, purchase beds for the cabins, and purchase food-service supplies for the cafeteria.
NWTF (national) donated $34,500 to build handicap accessible hunting blinds at the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center .
NWTF has assisted FWC and other partners in hosting field day events focused on introducing young people and families to hunting and other outdoor recreation.
NWTF has assisted FWC and other partners in hosting field day events and workshops on private lands to help demonstrate good wildlife habitat management practices.
NWTF has provided volunteer support for Florida ’s Hunter Safety Programs and Youth Hunt Camps.
NWTF has supported our law enforcement efforts by purchasing several “robo-turkeys” for use by our Division of Law Enforcement.
And just to think this is only some of the projects that the NWTF has partnered with our agency on. We look forward to building upon our partnership with the NWTF to further expand our conservation efforts and for promoting our hunting heritage in Florida .
