What We Do
Promote the sustainability of our natural resources through conservation, land management, outdoor outreach and educational practices
Programs
Conservation and Land Management
The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation has helped land owners in Virginia and Pennsylvania conserve over 45,000 acres of land, and owns and manages over 10,000 acres.
We develop and sustain our conservation models by managing habitat for endangered species, practicing wise forestry management, stream water mitigation and prescribed burns to control non-native growth, and other tools to preserve the integrity of the land.
We partner with local, state, and federal organizations, and work directly with landowners to share and advocate for conservation and land management best practices nationwide.
Military Readiness via Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI)
Military readiness via conservation. The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation is the lead partner to the Army National Guard for the REPI program at Ft. Barfoot in Virginia and Ft. Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania. Camp Guernsey in Wyoming is is currently applying for REPI and if approved WBWF looks forward to being named their primary partner.
The military needs bases and training lands for military exercises, training, soldier skill testing, and other operations. Training restrictions, costly workarounds, and compromised training realism can result from incompatible development surrounding the installation (external encroachment) and from threatened and endangered species on the installation (internal encroachment).
WBWF has the privilege of working with like-minded organizations including, The Nature Conservancy, The Virginia Outdoor Foundation, and the Virginia Department of Forestry that provide experience in natural resources, conservation, and land management. With everyone working together in concert, the military missions will be protected from encroachment while the beautiful rural landscapes of Virginia and Pennsylvania will be conserved for future generations.
The WBWF offers several options to landowners to reduce housing development, and landowners are paid for the alternative they choose. The options include conservation easements, deed restrictions, and purchase of the property if the landowner desires.
Veteran Outreach
WBWF hosts both large and small group events at our properties for veteran groups. Our goal is to leverage the proven benefits of being in nature and enjoying the great outdoors to facilitate single and multi-day excursions filled with camaraderie and friendly competition.
We partner with organizations including USO, Wounded Warrior Project, and Project Healing Waters, among others, to identify veterans that would benefit from the experiences we provide.
Activities include, clay shooting at our 5-stand facility, fishing, archery, axe throwing, hiking, and of course, plenty of time for fellowship and meals together.
Youth Outreach
WBWF provides youth outdoor education experiences that range from educational programs in elementary schools, camping, and land projects, to hunting and fishing in effort to expose children to the endless opportunities to enjoy Mother Nature.
We've visited over 120 schools and hosted countless events for youth groups at our properties.
Our hope is to reach the next generation so that they will understand and appreciate our natural resources; ultimately passing along conservation values to their children.
Special Projects
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources K9 program
The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation (WBWF) has formed a partnership with the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) in support of the Conservation Police Officers K9 Program. The K9 teams are used to educate the public and deter violators through demonstrations of the K9 teams’ abilities and presentations for schools, interested groups, and media. By providing resource management information during K9 demonstrations and presentations, DWR hopes to foster a sense of wildlife stewardship with the outdoor community.
Archeological Exploration
In the fall of 2022, an Advanced Archaeology class from Longwood University continued to excavate a site known as The Sanders Site at the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation in Halifax County, Virginia. There, students were able to experience hands-on learning while finding projectile points, pottery pieces, and bone fragments, all helping paint a picture of what life was like for indigenous peoples in Pre-Columbian America. To find out more about the Institute of Archaeology and the Dr. James W. Jordan Field School, visit this link: http://www.longwood.edu/archaeology/
