Michael Butler
Chief Executive Officer
Kendall McCarter
Chief Development Officer
It’s not always easy to recognize hunger in our communities. 2020 brought food security issues to the forefront as the demand at food banks rose considerably. In fact, it’s estimated that from March through June, four in 10 people visiting hunger relief organizations across the nation were there for the first time.
Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s Hunters for the Hungry program has been a lifeline for many over the years and has provided more than 7.6 million servings of healthy protein to families in need.
Last year, when Jason Sosbe and his family of Gainesboro, Tennessee were going through hard times, Hunters for the Hungry was there to help.
We’re so blessed with the availability of natural food…nobody has to worry about where their next meal is coming from.
Jason’s church is just one of more than 50 hunger relief organizations across the state that receives donated venison through the program. When the Sosbe family was hurting, their pastor reached out and offered some of the donated venison they had received from generous hunters in the area.
A hunter himself, Jason was happy to receive the venison. With lean protein in their freezer, the Sosbe family could rest a little easier.
“We’re so blessed with the availability of natural food and, as a community, have that bring us together so that nobody has to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” said Jason. “I can’t say enough about Hunters for the Hungry. I think it’s just absolutely a fantastic idea.”
The Federation’s Hunters for the Hungry program has been helping families like Jason’s since 1998. In 2020, when hunger relief organizations were experiencing an increase in demand due to the pandemic, the program stepped up to the challenge. And so did Tennessee’s hunters.
“I’m not done hunting. The next deer I get is going back to the program because I want to be able to give back to something that helped me in my time of need,” said Jason.
Your generosity made this possible for Jason’s family and for many more people in need throughout our state.
Like many Tennesseans, Mark Mascolo has a special connection to Tennessee’s wild places.
“I’ve told people over the years, I’m never closer to God than when I am spending time outdoors with my kids,” said Mark.
But little did Mark know that when he teamed up with Tennessee Wildlife Federation to restore habitat on his land, his love for the outdoors would only grow stronger.
Back in 2003, the Mascolo family purchased a 320-acre farm located on the Tennessee River in Hardin County. An avid outdoorsman, Mark had a vision for his family’s new home.
He was determined to convert some of the less productive farmland into something that would benefit wildlife and Tennessee as a whole. That’s when he began researching habitat conservation programs.
You have to have a vision…that lasts longer than a couple of years.
For years, the Federation’s Habitat Conservation program has been partnering with landowners and public agencies across the state to restore and conserve habitat for wildlife. When Mark connected with the Federation, he knew we were the right fit for his land. “Every time I picked up the phone, it was like talking to a friend.”
As with most things in nature, habitat restoration takes time.
“You have to have a vision for something that lasts longer than a couple of years. This is a decade long—even a 15- or 20-year long— vision that will change along the way,” said Mark.
Today, 240 acres of the Mascolo’s property is permanently protected as open space, including 50 acres of restored wetland habitat where native wildlife and plant species thrive. The wetland also provides a valuable service to the Tennessee River by removing pollutants and reducing the effects of flooding.
“It turned out bigger and better than we had ever planned on,” said Mark.
Because of the impact he’s seen on his own family, Mark wanted to help others bond over experiences in nature. Mark has generously allowed the Federation’s Hunting and Fishing Academy to use the land so novice hunters and anglers can get hands-on instruction in outdoorsmanship. Mark’s story shows us how caring for the land can also result in caring for ourselves and the next generation.
Henry County is located on Kentucky Lake and is known for its robust fishing and boating scene. But when Asian carp found their way into the lake, former county mayor Brent Greer knew the presence of this invasive species would have a serious and detrimental impact on his community.
“It has actually changed our lake and our fishery more than anything I’ve ever seen happen to it. In the last 15 years, our lake has gone from being one of the top 10 lakes in the country to a recovery lake,” said Brent.
Efforts to fight Asian carp began decades ago when the Federation along with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency began to discuss the best science and strategies to combat carp. “I think the Federation sunk their teeth into this early on and realized we had a real issue on our hands,” said Brent. “[Federation CEO] Michael has been a champion for our cause, helping us get the funding we need on a local basis to deal with it.”
In 2019, the Federation worked hand-in-hand with lawmakers to increase the appropriation to $25 million (an increase from $14 million) to fight carp and for the first time make it available to Southeast states, including Tennessee. In 2020, funds from the appropriation were used to deter and limit the fish’s movement, contract fishing and commercial fishing incentives, and research more ways to control Asian carp.
Our lake has gone from being one of the top 10 lakes in the country to a recovery lake.
The Federation has been working at the local, state, and federal levels to build relationships with lake and river adjacent communities and strengthen partnerships with conservation groups throughout the Southeast to fight Asian carp.
Carlton Gerrell, mayor of Paris, Tennessee, has been participating in the Federation’s Asian carp calls—where representatives, legislators, and experts from neighboring states discuss ongoing efforts and exchange best strategies to fight carp.
“The voice that’s created through Tennessee Wildlife Federation is helping to bring awareness. We need that voice in Washington and also in the state legislature to say we’ve got a problem here and understand this problem is more than just fish,” said Carlton.
Collaboration is at the heart of finding the long-term solutions to combat Asian carp. Through innovative ideas, perseverance, and willingness to work across all barriers, the Federation is leading the way in this fight to protect Tennessee’s prized rivers, lakes, and waterways.
Signed Into Law in 2020
You made your voice heard and it made a difference! In a landmark vote, The Great American Outdoors Act provides up to $1.9 billion a year for five years to address the national parks’ maintenance backlog and provides full and dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)—a bill the Federation helped reauthorize in 2019. With $900 million every year for LWCF, the Great American Outdoors Act is one of the largest conservation packages ever signed into law.
In addition, you helped secure America’s Conservation Enhancement Act which contains funding for many long-standing conservation priorities for Tennessee and the nation. It includes funding to fight invasive species, manage chronic wasting disease, and support the work of the National Fish Habitat Partnerships.
Interviewed U.S. Senate Candidates on Conservation
During the 2020 race for the U.S. Senate, the Federation sat down for exclusive interviews with leading candidates Bill Hagerty and Marquita Bradshaw to discuss their views on conservation in Tennessee. As a leader in conservation policy, the Federation is committed not only to keeping you informed about our lawmakers’ views on the great outdoors, but being your voice on Capitol Hill and beyond.
Because the community came together, a meaningful percentage of the global purple martin population had an uninterrupted migration.
Kendall McCarter, Chief Development Officer
Purple Rain!
National attention for Nashville’s purple martins was generated last year when their migration was in jeopardy. You joined us and The Nature Conservancy in Tennessee and raised funds to ensure their safe travel to South America.
Tackled Invasive Species
The Federation worked side by side with lawmakers in 2020 to secure Asian carp funding in the amount of $25 million for Asian carp control nationwide, and an additional $4.4 million to fund the aquatic nuisance species management plans nationwide.
Again, your voices moved the needle in 2020 when the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) was passed and authorized another $25 million that, when funded, can be used on innovative technologies—such as barrier projects—in the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers to stop the migration of Asian carp.
Shared the Harvest
Due to the pandemic, many Tennesseans fell on hard times and some experienced food insecurity for the first time. Hunters from every county stepped up for our communities and generously donated more than 561,000 servings of venison to Tennessee families and children in need.
Restored Habitat on Public and Private Lands
Last year, the Federation’s Habitat Conservation program planted more than 96,000 shortleaf pine seedlings and began prescribed burns on a large-scale project to restore 4,000 acres of oak and pine habitats on the Cumberland Plateau. The Plateau is home to some of Tennessee’s most popular outdoor recreation spots and an amazing diversity of native plants and animals.
Since the program began, the Federation has planted 300,000 trees in Tennessee.
Engaged More Tennesseans Outside
Hunting and Fishing Academy hosted a record number of outdoor experiences that got more novice hunters and anglers outside in 2020. The program also launched its first-ever, adult-only experiences so those looking to pursue an outdoor lifestyle for the first time could try their hand at hunting. Learning also moved online with the introduction of virtual classes for those looking to brush up their skills.
Every little thing we do matters and we should all try to make a difference, whether it’s big or small.
Minmay Pup, Tennessee SCTP athlete
Inspired the Next Generation
Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program introduced more than 650 kids to an outdoor lifestyle through the shooting sports during its statewide Recruiting Days. The program also successfully adapted to the challenges of the pandemic to host a safe and fun State Championships for their athletes. Each season, Tennessee SCTP athletes are instilled with a respect for our wild places and inspired to do their part to conserve them.
Grew Network of Certified Wildlife Habitats
From tiny backyards to rolling acres, hundreds of Tennesseans made their land work for wildlife through the Certified Wildlife Habitat program. In fact, nearly twice as many habitats were certified than in 2019, each one now providing food, water, shelter, and more to Tennessee’s diverse wildlife.
Board of Directors
Chairman
Ric Wolbrecht | Germantown
Vice Chairman
Bruce Fox | Knoxville
Secretary
Anker Browder | Knoxville
Treasurer
Tommy Bernard | Kingston Springs
Allen Carter | Athens
Allen Corey | Chattanooga
Bobby Goode | Dresden
Katherine R. Griffin | Dayton
Dan Hammond | Franklin
Jill Hanggi | Knoxville
Terry Lewis | Powell
Rob Lineberger | Brentwood
Chris Nischan | Nashville
Billy Oehmig | Chattanooga
Bobby Pidgeon | Memphis
Richard Speer | Nashville
Advisory Board
Albert Buckley, Jr. | Franklin
Chuck Chitty | Chattanooga
Craig Connors | Williston
Bill Cox | Collierville
Bill Dance | Collierville
Phillip Fulmer, Sr.| Knoxville
Sheldon Hightower | Hendersonville
Bob Hodge | Knoxville
Mike Kelly | Nashville
Jim Maddox | Nashville
Colin Reed | Nashville
Tom Rice | Nashville
Dr. David Sloas | Cordova
Brian Sparks | Germantown
Dr. Ben West | Jackson
Terry Whitson | Rogersville
Photo credits: Braam Oberholster, Roger Trentham
