NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The National Wild Turkey Federation presented Kevin Mote, Cross Timbers Wildlife District leader at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, with the Joe Kurz Wildlife Manager of Year Award for his outstanding management of wild turkeys and wildlife habitat management.
“Over the past 24 years with TPWD, I have enjoyed the support and partnership of NWTF on many conservation focused projects,” said Mote. “From enhancing hunting opportunities on public land, to conducting research that increases our capacity to better manage wild turkeys, to directly improving habitat on the ground. Being recognized by such a dedicated champion for wildlife and our hunting heritage is a tremendous honor.”
Mote received the Joe Kurz Wildlife Manager of the Year Award at the 44th annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show.
The NWTF named the Joe Kurz Wildlife Manager of the Year Award after the former Georgia Department of Natural Resources wildlife chief for his leadership and the vital role he played in improving wildlife management. Kurz also was a principal figure in wild turkey trap-and-transfer programs across North America.
Mote has served the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in multiple capacities over the course of his 24 years with the organization, including as an endangered species and wildlife diversity biologist, public land manager and his current role as wildlife district leader.
“Kevin is far more than a wildlife biologist,” NWTF CEO Becky Humphries said. “He is a dedicated conservationist, and his conservation practices combine forest and habitat management to enhance the landscape and benefit all wildlife, including Rio Grande wild turkeys in Texas.”
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
When the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in 1973, there were about 1.3 million wild turkeys in North America. After decades of work, that number hit a historic high of almost 7 million turkeys. To succeed, the NWTF stood behind science-based conservation and hunters’ rights. The NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative is a charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to conserve enhance more than 4 million acres of essential wildlife habitat, recruit at least 1.5 million hunters and open access to 500,000 acres for hunting. For more information, visit NWTF.org.
