The North Carolina State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) recently partnered with Uwharrie National Forest, North Carolina Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Greater Uwharrie Conservation Partnership and the Little River NWTF Chapter to fund a longleaf pinecone harvest operation.

“Right before the cones were about to fall and our project was to begin, the NWTF came forward with additional funds allowing more cones to be harvested,” said Laura Fogo, USFWS private lands biologist. “Thanks to NWTF biologist Gary Peters and the North Carolina NWTF State Chapter board, we seized a rare opportunity to harvest additional piedmont longleaf pine cones from 80-year-old trees on the Uwharrie National Forest.”

A total of 179 bushels of cones were harvested with the state NWTF chapter covering the cost to harvest 83 bushels. The total cone harvest should result in a potential of up to 450,000 seedlings to restore 900 acres of longleaf pine savanna within five years in North Carolina and possibly South Carolina.

“Habitat restoration is crucial to wildlife conservation,” said Becky Humphries, NWTF chief conservation officer. “The longleaf pine ecosystem is one that is imperiled and we will continue to work to ensure its future.”

About Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.

The NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative is a charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to give the NWTF more energy and purpose than ever. Through this national initiative, NWTF has committed to raising $1.2 billion to conserve or enhance more than 4 million acres of essential upland wildlife habitat, create at least 1.5 million hunters and open access to 500,000 acres for hunting, shooting and outdoor enjoyment. Without hunters, there will be no wildlife or habitat. The NWTF is determined to Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.

To learn more about the NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative, visit www.nwtf.org.