TWF, in partnership TWRA, the Tennessee Forestry Association, Project CENTS and the Tennessee State Chapter NWTF will sponsor an educators workshop at the National Wild Turkey Federation's Annual Convention in February.  

Educators will have the opportunity to participate in the day-long seminar at the Gaylord/Opryland Resort and Convention Center.  Attendees will receive over $75 worth of educational materials including a Wild about Turkey Education Box, hands-on curriculum based activities for teaching about wildlife conservation, and a Project WILD K-12 Activity Guide.  The workshop is limited to 25 participants who must be registered by February 10, 2009.  For more information or to register, download a flyer by clicking here.

Several Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) waterfowl refuges in the state will close to public access this winter to provide migrating waterfowl a place to feed and rest, undisturbed by human activities, according to the TWRA.

These refuges are closed to public access, except in designated observation areas, each year during the peak of the migrations.

To see a list of the dates and waterfowl refuges to be closed by region, click on "read more."

Committee Formed to Study Possible Improvements to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

Tennessee Wildlife Federation (TWF) Executive Director, Michael Butler, testified today before the Special Joint Legislative Study Committee of the Tennessee General Assembly.  The Committee was formed to study possible improvements to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) including, but not limited to, the issues of state and federal funding sources and how the Agency is governed and managed.
 

TWF to Partner with ArtsMemphis & Ducks Unlimited for Events in October

The Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s outdoor education program, GOU, is being recognized for its work in introducing youth to the outdoors by the Memphis Conservation Through Art program.  Conservation Thorough Art is a weeklong celebration founded by ArtsMemphis and Ducks Unlimited that aims to raise funds and awareness for wildlife conservation efforts, local arts groups and environmental education.  

 

This year, GOU has been selected to be a beneficiary of a portion of the funds raised through the Conservation Through Arts events.  Additionally, GOU has partnered with ArtsMemphis and Ducks Unlimited to contribute to the schedule of events in Memphis.

 

The 2008 Farm Bill enacted by Congress is resulting in significant changes that offer a higher cost of return to Tennessee farmers and landowners, according to the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Under the new Farm Bill, the rates for entering into the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) have climbed substantially. The WRP is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property.

“If you have previously considered enrolling your land in WRP, I encourage you to give it a second look,” said State Conservationist Kevin Brown. “Rates are currently being set for every county in Tennessee, and they are significantly higher than they were just a few weeks ago.”