WASHINGTON—Did you know that the American wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) faced extinction in the 1930s due to unregulated commercial hunting and the disappearance of their favored habitat? Today, thanks to conservation efforts, there are now over 6 million turkeys within the United States. Management efforts to support wild turkey populations continues today on national forest lands.

In fall 2022, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest partnered with the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife and National Wild Turkey Federation to apply state funding toward the improvement of forage for Merriam's wild turkey (M. gallopavo merriami) in key areas lacking in plant diversity on the forest.

With state funding, the partnership obtained 500 pounds of native seed mix to revegetate areas disturbed by pending timber stand thinning operations and in-stream restoration efforts, as well as 2,360 containerized native plants, beneficial for wild turkey forage. The Skamania County Noxious Weed Board was also provided funds to conduct noxious weed abatement on approximately 132 acres of early seral wild turkey habitat. Clearing away non-native, invasive plants makes room for native species to grow.

During three separate weekend planting events—from the middle of October into early November—24 people from a variety of agencies and organizations invested over 74 hours of physical labor in the field.

Volunteers braved unseasonably hot fall temperatures as well as the abrupt arrival of the winter winds and rains to transplant all 2,360 native seedlings in critical habitat areas.

“Seeing the passion and commitment of the many people that came out to help, and their desire to do something good that benefits the landscape makes me remember why I got into this career path in the first place,” said Conner England, Gifford Pinchot National Forest wildlife biologist. “Some amazing people took time out of their busy lives to come out and plant plants in a place they’ve never seen with a guy they’ve never met because they care. That felt particularly good and reassuring.”

Volunteers represented members of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Cascade Forest Conservancy, Washington Master Hunters, Skamania County Noxious Weed Program, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife and the USDA Forest Service.

Overall funding for the wild turkey habitat improvement project on the forest, provided by Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife through the National Wild Turkey Federation in 2022, covered:

• 2,360 one-gallon containerized native plants used to enhance and diversify a 52-acre meadow,
• Noxious weed treatments on 132 acres of early to mid-seral habitat,
• 500 pounds of native seed stock to be used following timber stand improvements and in-stream work,
• Trail cameras to monitor animal species use in the area.

The project will also benefit other native wildlife, including deer, elk, various songbirds and a variety of pollinator species.