The American West is home to many iconic landscapes, from sagebrush steppe to towering granite peaks. Its stories are written in fire-scarred forests and carried by rivers born of alpine snowfields that shape valleys below. It’s a region where the land still feels wild and where wildlife — such as wild turkeys, mule deer, elk, native trout and countless others — demand both reverence and responsibility.
One such place is California’s Sierra Nevada, a landscape as beautiful as it is vital. Though it covers just a fraction of the state’s footprint, its watersheds provide drinking water for over two-thirds of California’s population, offer endless recreational opportunities and serve as home to an astonishing range of species. It’s also where the National Wild Turkey Federation continues its mission to conserve wildlife habitat and safeguard our hunting heritage through strategic partnerships and boots-on-the-ground conservation work.
This deep commitment to the West brought the NWTF’s National Board of Directors to the Sierra Nevada this August. Together with NWTF co-CEOs, NWTF conservation staff and USDA Forest Service partners, the NWTF National Board of Directors toured the El Dorado National Forest to witness firsthand the challenges and successes of current conservation efforts in the region.
“The West encompasses vast and varied landscapes, each presenting unique challenges for managing wild turkey habitat,” said NWTF National Board of Directors President Parks Shackelford. “There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, which makes innovative and active habitat management essential. The NWTF remains dedicated to conserving wild turkeys in the West by fostering strong partnerships and embracing shared stewardship. This collaborative approach not only supports wildlife but also benefits local communities, recreation and water resources. It was inspiring to see firsthand the impactful work taking place in the Sierra Nevada region and the positive ripple effects it’s having across the landscape.”
During the field tour, the board explored the Cleveland-Icehouse Project — a multi-phase stewardship effort focused on improving wildlife habitat and forest health while safeguarding clean water and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Located near the Icehouse and Union Valley reservoirs, the project sits at the intersection of critical water infrastructure, vital wildlife habitat and cherished recreation spaces.
Board members also witnessed the burn scar from the 2021 Caldor Fire, which scorched over 200,000 acres of El Dorado National Forest and the surrounding area. As California’s second most destructive wildfire, its aftermath serves as a sobering reminder of the urgency behind active forest management. These landscapes tell a powerful story: that investing in conservation today means protecting the places we love — and the resources we depend on — from devastation tomorrow.
The visit underscored the importance of accelerating the pace and scale of work across the West. By partnering with the Forest Service and other like-minded organizations and agencies, the NWTF is helping to ensure that Western forests remain resilient, that watersheds continue to flow with clean water and that wild turkeys and other species have thriving habitats.
The Sierra Nevada is just one of many Western landscapes where the NWTF is making a difference. From the southwestern deserts to the northern Rockies, the NWTF’s commitment to the West is rooted in action, collaboration and an unwavering belief in the power of conservation to shape a better future — not only for wildlife but for all who call these wild places home.
