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.
 

Vice President Announces Plan to Protect Four Million Additional Acres of Wetlands

TWF Board Member Terry Lewis and Communications Director Karen Vaughn attended the White House Conference on North American Wildlife Policy last week in Reno, NV.   More than 500 representatives of wildlife conservation groups and wildlife agencies from around the country met to discuss the development of a comprehensive ten year Recreational Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Plan.

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.”

Now that the new Farm Bill has become law, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reminds Tennessee landowners that now is the best time to signup for wildlife habitat assistance.  Tennessee has received an additional $289,000 for fiscal year 2008 to help landowners who qualify for the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP). This latest allocation brings the amount of WHIP funds directed to Tennessee to over a million dollars this year—a record amount for the state.

Thanks to a generous gift to the Capital Campaign by TWF board member Dan Hammond, TWF will once again launch a wildlife specialty plate to fund conservation efforts in Tennessee. The artwork was provided by renowned wildlife artist Phillip Crowe of Franklin, TN.  It features a ruby-throated hummingbird, one of the most beautiful and commonly found varieties of the species found in Tennessee. 

To reserve your plate, click here!