LINDEN - For the second year, global energy company Anadarko Petroleum Corp. has partnered with the National Wild Turkey Federation to raise money for federation-sponsored conservation projects.
Anadarko and the federation recently co-hosted "Fueling Conservation," a fundraiser at Haywood's on the Water. Proceeds from the event, which included raffles, a silent auction and music by Nashville-based singer Daryle Singletary, will help pay for habitat projects in Clinton and Lycoming counties.
Last year, the event raised about $30,000. Ray Smith, federation district field supervisor, said he expected this year's event to net at least that much.
Money was raised through corporate sponsorships by gas industry companies and local businesses, Smith said.
The relationship between the federation and Anadarko actually began in 2010 when the company donated $10,000 for federation habitat projects in the company's area of operations, said Robert Eriksen, federation conservation field supervisor for Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland.
"We recognized this was a partner that was willing to help conservation in the local area they're doing business in," Eriksen said. "Last year kicked off a larger relationship with the investment of $15,000 for this event."
Corporate and event sponsors included gas industry companies, as well as local companies that have found a niche in the industry.
Many of the sponsors had ties not only to the industry, but to the efforts of the federation.
"We're outdoor sportsmen and are involved in a lot of outdoor activities," said Larry Allison Jr., of Allison Crane and Rigging. "Turkey hunting is a passion."
"We believe in their cause," said Seth Alberts, of Alberts Spray Solutions. "It's a good conservation organization to get involved with."
Glenn McConnell, of McConnell's Country Store and Fly Shop in Waterville, donated a day of guided fly fishing to the event's silent auction.
"I support the Wild Turkey Federation - always have and always will - and anything that has anything to do with conservation," he said.
Interest in giving back to the community by sponsoring federation projects will resonate far beyond the wild turkey populations in the area, Eriksen said.
"What we do doesn't just benefit wild turkey, but all sorts of wildlife," Eriksen said. "Wild turkeys are classified as generalist species - they use different types of habitat. Even if we develop habitat for wild turkey, it benefits ancillary species, ranging from game species like whitetail deer and black bear all the way to migratory songbirds."
Smith agreed.
"What we do doesn't just benefit wild turkey, but all sorts of wildlife," he said.
Eriksen said the federation works with the state Game Commission and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to implement projects. The federation maintains an excellent working relationship with those organizations, he said.
"We supply them with lime, seed, herbicides, fertilizer and, if they don't have what they need, equipment," he said.
Federation staff also provides consulting services to state agencies, he said.
This year alone, the federation has sponsored 77 habitat projects on state game lands and state forestland in 59 counties, he said.
"All of the volunteer (conservation) groups play a very important role," said Douglas J. D'Amore, Sproul State Forest district forester. "They fund a lot of habitat projects that we would not be able to do without them."
The marriage between the federation and gas industry companies and suppliers also is a good fit, said Brad Milliken, Anadarko production superintendent, Appalachian Basin.
"(The federation) is well known and respected throughout the country," Milliken said. "It's a good hand-in-glove relationship."
