EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Recently, National Wild Turkey Federation staff traveled to Flagstaff, Arizona, to participate in the Ponderosa Pine Utilization Summit, where the NWTF served as a Gold Sponsor. The sponsorship underscored the organization’s growing leadership role in advancing wood utilization as a foundational element of Western forest restoration, work essential for sustaining wild turkey habitat and reducing catastrophic wildfire risk.
The NWTF’s sponsorship provided an opportunity for NWTF active forest management manager Molly Pitts to illustrate how the NWTF is a conservation leader connecting restoration, wildfire resilience, rural economies, wildlife enhancement and sustainable wood markets.
NWTF’s sponsorship reinforced the organization’s credibility and expanding role in forest products and restoration markets, as several in attendance commented that they appreciated a wildlife conservation organization’s presence.
“NWTF chose to sponsor this summit because strong wood products markets are essential to the West’s restoration future,” Pitts said. “This event brought together the people who understand that connection better than anyone. When industry, land managers and communities come together like this, we’re not just talking about utilization — we’re building the conditions for healthier forests, safer communities and a more resilient future.”
Ponderosa pine ecosystems span millions of acres across the West, supporting some of the most important nesting, brood-rearing and overwintering habitat for wild turkeys and countless other species. Scaling restoration in these forests requires strong, consistent markets for pine. Without viable markets, restoration slows, fuel loads build, and wildlife habitat declines.
The three-day summit brought together foresters, mill operators, tribal representatives, NGOs, researchers, utilities, county officials, investors and state and federal agencies, all who collectively influence the future of wood utilization to discuss ongoing issues and develop solutions.
The meeting underscored an emerging consensus: when markets stall, restoration stalls. Attendees identified key barriers that currently constrain restoration and utilization efforts across the region, including supply constraints, too few mills, lack of proper infrastructure, workforce challenges and high transportation costs.
During the summit’s Solutions Session, partners outlined promising pathways to overcome these long-standing barriers. Discussions highlighted logistics in collaboration, realistic infrastructure modeling, innovation and investment tools, and utilizing federal and utility partners.
Attendees were also invited to embark on a field tour of the Restoration Forest Products Mill to gain firsthand insight into what state-of-the-art, small-diameter utilization looks like. Automated scanning systems, efficient residue handling and high-volume production demonstrated the potential for scaling restoration when reliable supply and capital investment are present. The tour visually reinforced the Summit’s point: modern infrastructure combined with reliable supply can help achieve restored forests.
“If we want to restore forests at the pace wildfire risk demands, we need resilient wood products markets that can keep pace with the material coming out of those treatments,” said Tim Phelps, NWTF wood utilization specialist. “When there’s steady demand and a strong set of outlets, from lumber to bioenergy to engineered products, restoration becomes financially sustainable. And when restoration is financially sustainable, wildlife habitat improves, wildfire resilience increases and communities benefit. That’s the vision we’re supporting, and this summit showed the West is ready to move in that direction.”
For NWTF members, the connection is clear. When ponderosa pine restoration stagnates, wild turkey habitat declines and wildfire risks increase. By helping advance solutions that strengthen markets for small-diameter wood, NWTF is championing the forest conditions turkeys rely on. This work is core to our mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage for future generations of hunters and conservationists.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats and Healthy Harvests for future generations.
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