NWTF Chapters Receive National Conservation Awards

Representatives from the Alabama, Indiana and Tennessee state chapters accepted their awards during the NWTF’s 50^th anniversary celebration at its 47^th annual convention and sport show, sponsored by Mossy Oak.

The accomplishments of this year’s winners include:

NWTF Alabama State Chapter – Acreage Award:

The NWTF gives this award to the state chapter that accomplishes the greatest number of conserved or enhanced acres through direct financial contributions from Super Fund and other funding sources in the previous year. In 2022, the NWTF Alabama NWTF Chapter conserved or enhanced more acres than any other state.

Indiana and Tennessee State Chapters – Partnership Award:

When the NWTF Tennessee State Chapter held its annual Super Fund meeting in 2022, it had more funding requests than funds to disperse. One project of particular importance that the state wanted to fund, but did not have the extra money for, was a state-of-the-art wild turkey research project. Through a never-before-done approach, the Indiana State Chapter offered to fund the project for the Tennessee State Chapter, as the research seek to better the understand of Eastern wild turkey ecology as a whole.

The research will investigate egg fertilization and evidence of early embryo mortality in wild turkey eggs collected from various locations in the eastern United States. This will be a cooperative study with various state wildlife agencies that have expressed enthusiastic interest in the study.

“Our state chapters and their volunteer leadership never cease to amaze me,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “It is their innovation, collaboration and dedication that have allowed us to reach many milestones. It is an honor to recognize the Indiana and Tennessee state chapters with the Save the Habitat Award, as well as the Alabama State Chapter with the Acreage Award, at our 50^th anniversary celebration.”

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 conserved or enhanced over 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to drive wildlife conservation, forest resiliency and robust recreational opportunities throughout the U.S. by working across boundaries on a landscape scale.

2023 is the NWTF's 50^th anniversary and an opportunity to propel the organization's mission into the future while honoring its rich history. For its 50-year celebration, the NWTF has set six ambitious goals: positively impact 1 million acres of wildlife habitat; raise $500,000 for wild turkey research; increase membership to 250,000 members; dedicate $1 million to education and outreach programs; raise $5 million to invest in technology and the NWTF's people; and raise $5 million to build toward a $50 million endowment for the future. Learn how you can help us reach these lofty goals.