EDGEFIELD, S.C. — On March 1st, the NWTF received a commendation from the Governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, celebrating the federation’s 50th anniversary and dedication to the conservation of wild turkey and preservation of our hunting heritage.
“We are extremely proud to be recognized by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for our last 50 years of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage,” said NWTF district biologist Ricky Lackey. “We have a long history of wild turkey conservation in the great state of Georgia, and we are humbled to be recognized by Governor Kemp.”
The commendation details the impact of the NWTF’s mission:
“…WHEREAS, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested more than half a billion dollars to conserve or enhance more than 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat, forests, and grasslands across public and private lands since 1985, and more than $8.5 million in research to ensure healthy wild turkey populations into the future; and
WHEREAS, The National Wild Turkey Federation is the largest and longest-serving nongovernmental stewardship partner of the USDA forest service, conserving habitat on National Forest System Lands for more than 40 years and engaging in the development and implementation of the USDA’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy; now
THEREFORE, I, BRIAN P. KEMP, Governor of the State of Georgia, do hereby commend and celebrate the National Wild Turkey Federation’s 50th Anniversary.”
The entire commendation can be found here.
“As a lifelong hunter, landowner, and major supporter of NWTF, I was honored to recognize NWTF’s 50th Anniversary on the floor of the Georgia House of Representatives,” said GA State Rep. Chas Cannon. “I am a firm believer in the primary mission of NWTF: conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage. Although I may be serving as a state representative under the Gold Dome in Atlanta, my favorite place to be is in the piney woods of South Georgia. I congratulate NWTF for their 50 years of success and encourage them to continue their mission of conserving our game birds and preserving our hunting heritage.”
The NWTF policy team and its volunteer leadership are working with state legislatures across the country to pass similar measures this year that enshrine the NWTF’s legacy and mission delivery in state law.
Learn more about the NWTF’s policy and advocacy work.
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 th anniversary, 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 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.
