NWTF Chapters Honored for Partnerships that Strengthen Hunting Heritage

The NWTF Partnership Award honors chapters that collaborate with individuals, businesses, agencies and nongovernmental organizations to deliver impactful hunting heritage events, including JAKES, Wheelin’ Sportsmen and Women in the Outdoors programs.

This year, chapters from Minnesota, Illinois and Texas were recognized for collaborative efforts that not only created meaningful outdoor experiences but also strengthened communities and improved wildlife habitat.

Minnesota 4-H Shooting Sports and Wildlife Program

Minnesota NWTF State Chapter was recognized for its long-standing partnership with Minnesota 4-H Shooting Sports and Wildlife. Through financial support of the Minnesota 4-H Shooting Sports & Wildlife Ambassador Program for 21 years, Minnesota NWTF continues to invest directly in youth leadership and education.

The ambassador program gives high school students the opportunity to develop leadership skills, promote outdoor education and represent 4-H at state, regional and local events. Ambassadors also serve as role models for younger participants, helping ensure the program’s long-term success.

Over the years, Minnesota NWTF has contributed more than $100,000 to support the program. NWTF is also the only wildlife organization that actively partners with 4-H, assisting with wildlife judging, promoting mentored hunts and providing JAKES memberships to introduce youth to conservation and the outdoors.

“Our long-standing partnership with Minnesota 4-H reflects what NWTF does best—bringing people together to create lasting impacts for conservation and youth,” said Ralph Warzecha, Minnesota NWTF State Chapter President. “We’re honored to be recognized with this award and proud to support the ambassador program for 21 years as an investment in leadership, education and the next generation of conservationists who will shape the future of the outdoors.”

Southern Illinois Touch of Nature Cleanup

In southern Illinois, partnership and perseverance came together to create opportunities for hunters with disabilities while improving habitat for wildlife. For the past five years, Michael Howie has coordinated nationally recognized Wheelin’ Sportsmen mentored hunts.

This summer and fall, Howie and NWTF volunteers partnered with a group of honors students from Southern Illinois University, led by professor Charles Ruffner, to prepare the Touch of Nature Environmental Center for upcoming hunts. The students contributed 192 volunteer hours mowing roadsides, pastures, orchards and fields; planting five acres of seed mix donated by the state chapter; cutting and spraying invasive olive; and clearing shooting lanes across the property.

The work supported a youth deer hunt for five hunters with disabilities on Oct. 31 through Nov. 2, 2025, followed by another Wheelin’ Sportsmen hunt for 50 participants on Nov. 7 through 9, 2025.

“To receive this award is very humbling,” said Michael Howie. “It was a lot of work, involving many people including the state chapter providing seeds, volunteers bringing tractors, the staff at Touch of Nature and honors students. In addition to all the hand seeding work, we also spent days mowing and opening up the landscape for wildlife. This work doesn’t just help our Wheelin’ Sportsmen hunts — it helps the wildlife and nature. It is a pretty magical place down there.”

H20 Youth Outdoor Adventure Day

On March 1, 2025, the NWTF Houston Chapter, in partnership with Trinity Oaks Outdoors, hosted an Outdoor Adventure Day for youth ages nine to 16 that has now been recognized with an award for excellence in youth outdoor programming. More than 75 participants rotated through hands-on activities such as .22 rifle and shotgun shooting, archery, habitat improvement and first aid training — all provided at no cost thanks to generous sponsors. Each youth received a gift bag and had the chance to win prizes, making the day both fun and educational. The event successfully promoted outdoor safety, stewardship and the joys of connecting with nature, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.

"We are incredibly honored to be recognized by NWTF for the H2O Youth Outdoor Adventures Day,” said Jessica Fitch, WITO Houston Chapter president. “Getting kids outdoors — especially those who may not otherwise have the opportunity — is at the heart of what we do. This event was about more than shooting sports; it was about conservation, safety, stewardship and building confidence. This recognition truly belongs to our volunteers, mentors and partners who came together to support our youth and make this experience possible. Seeing kids experience the outdoors for the first time and leave excited about what they learned is why this work matters."

“Partnerships are key to advancing our mission, whether through landscape-scale conservation projects or education and outreach efforts,” said NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff. “We are proud to recognize our chapters that go the extra mile, collaborating with agencies and organizations to achieve a greater impact for wildlife and communities.”

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 25 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. Since 2022, the NWTF has also invested over $2.3 million in critical wild turkey research that, when leveraged with partner contributions, has resulted in more than $22 million to guide the management of the wild turkey and to ensure sustainable populations. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale to deliver healthy forests and wildlife habitats, clean and abundant water, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues to unite a nation through the life-changing power of the outdoors.