Tennessee Wildlife Federation

Conservation policy & advocacy: since 1946, Wildlife and natural resource-focused policy work has been central to Tennessee Wildlife Federation's mission. The Federation is a strong policy leader in the state-working with decision makers at the general assembly and state and federal natural resource agencies-and is a key advocate for federal legislation and appropriations that benefit conservation efforts in Tennessee, the southeast, and at the national level. Historically, this has included such successes as forming the Tennessee Wildlife resources agency (1949), securing the passage of the Tennessee water pollution control act (1972), the u.a. Moore wetlands acquisition fund (1986), and the solid waste management act (1991), leading the passage of the right to hunt and fish constitutional amendment (2010), playing an important advocacy and grassroots role in reintroducing elk, and protecting native Wildlife, such as deer, from captive deer farming practices. More recently, the Federation's work has been integral to securing critically-needed federal appropriations for asian carp control; engaging the sporting community on important issues like chronic wasting disease; influencing policy to promote the balanced recreational use of Tennessee rivers; helping pass landmark federal legislation for habitat and public lands, like the great american outdoors act; and elevating awareness about threats to the state's healthy and abundant waters for fish, Wildlife and people.

Land management & restoration: the Federation's habitat conservation program has numerous projects completed or underway statewide. Eleven wetland restoration projects are complete and threeothers are in various stages of permitting. Four stream restoration projects are now complete, and three are in various stages of permitting. Fifteen forest restoration projects initiated statewide. Collectively, these projects will restore more than 1,400 acres of wetlands, 5,000 acres of forestland, and 7 miles of stream to improve habitat for Wildlife and increase public access for recreation. Hunters for the hungry, now in its 26th year, has become one of the top ten programs of its kind in the nation. In that time, it has collected more than 2.3 million pounds of donated venison, providing more than 9.3 million meals through partnerships with food banks and soup kitchens. Volunteer efforts continue to grow, with program funds raised from the hunger challenge-a friendly competition composed of high school volunteers-funding 6,720 meals between 2 teams. Moreover, for the sixth year in a row, all county processors were fully funded with processing dollars last season.

Youth engagement: the Tennessee scholastic clay target program, dedicated to serving as an introduction to an outdoor lifestyle for young people, had a very successful year with more than 1,600 participating. More than 1,100 of these athletes took part in the annual state shoot competition held each year in nashville, and 333 competed in the national competition in marengo, Ohio, with 16 first place finishers and 60 other top five finishers. The majority of the practice season and the state shoot competition takes place between february and june. Many of the teams are sponsored by schools or 4-h clubs. The Federation's hunting and fishing academy provides comprehensive, immersive experiences in Tennessee to teach and hone the outdoor skills needed to go and enjoy hunting and fishing for a lifetime. More than simple hunting or fishing events, the academy provides engaging, hands-on instruction and virtual learning experiences in the art of being an outdoorsman in order to mentor first-time and novice hunters and anglers of all ages. More than 150 volunteer mentors, also called hunt masters are now trained to facilitate the effort. Utilizing a revamped survey process, the academy is now better equipped to track the growth of participants after each event. According to survey results, participants are consistently reporting an increase in their confidence and skills regarding hunting and fishing, while also strongly indicating the likelihood of them continuing to hunt or fish increased after attending an event.