Brewing up a Good Time, Celebrating NWTF’s Conservation Mission
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The NWTF Niagara County Gobblers Chapter partnered with First Line Brewing — a local brewery in Orchard Park, New York, known for supporting first responders — to host its first-ever fundraising event in support of the NWTF’s conservation mission. To help promote the NWTF’s Forests and Flocks Initiative, First Line Brewing launched their limited edition Flocktoberfest beer at the event.
NWTF members — both new and longtime — gathered at the local brewery from across western New York to try the limited-edition beer, participate in raffles, and enjoy live music performed by a local folk-rock band called Fuzzy and the Rustbelts. Doug Little, NWTF director of conservation operations for the East, also spoke about what the Forests and Flocks Initiative is and what it has accomplished in its first year.
“The idea to create this limited-edition beer can to help spread awareness and fundraise for the NWTF came after the NWTF launched their sub-species cocktail menu in the spring,” said Spencer Wybieracki, First Line Brewing director of operations. “We made those cocktails and realized we could take it one step further with our brewery. It was a pretty cool opportunity to get involved with the NWTF, and we hope to do similar collaborations in the future.”
Wybieracki designed the can himself, drawing inspiration from classic Oktoberfest colors and style. He added his own NWTF twist by putting cartoon wild turkeys in Lederhosen.
“Collaborating with local breweries to host events like this one allows the NWTF to connect with a new audience,” said Skip Motts, NWTF regional director. “It was such a fun atmosphere. Having Doug and the trivia educate a brand-new audience on who the NWTF is and what our mission is, makes such a big difference. The more people we have talking about us and sharing what we do to friends and family is only going to benefit us in the long run.”
One attendee used to attend his local NWTF chapter banquets when he was younger, but when that chapter disbanded, he lost access to NWTF events and community. He saw the event promoted on First Line Brewing’s Instagram and knew he had to attend. He and other local members at the event hope this is just the beginning. The event may be the first step toward inspiring a new chapter and more NWTF events in the western New York area.
First Line Brewing is grateful to have collaborated with the NWTF and would like to thank Quaker Boy Game Calls for donating turkey calls and gear to raffle off to attendees.
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.