EDGEFIELD, S.C.—Richard Plattenberger, of Marshville, North Carolina, received national recognition from the National Wild Turkey Federation as the recipient of the Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Award for his longtime dedication to the NWTF and compassion for sharing the outdoors with others.
“It is a great honor to be chosen and awarded the Roger M. Latham Award,” Plattenberger said. “A special thank you to all the North Carolina NWTF volunteers and especially my wife Rita, who without their support this would not have been possible. Even though the NWTF has endured great hardships this past year, this organization’s volunteers will continue to be the leaders of conservation in this great nation. Again, thank you, NWTF, for this prestigious award and a ‘never-give-up’ attitude to Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.”
Plattenberger received one of five Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service awards at the 45th annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show, held virtually in 2021.
A Patron Life Sponsor and NWTF member since 1996, Plattenberger has a long history of unwavering commitment to the NWTF and its mission. As an avid outdoorsman, a North Carolina Lifetime Sportsman License holder and president of NWTF’s North Carolina Union County Chapter, Plattenberger is a staunch advocate for the NWTF and North Carolina’s natural resources. In addition, Plattenberger is instrumental in all of the mentoring activities that his chapter offers, including JAKES, Wheelin’ Sportsmen and Women in the Outdoors events. Plattenberger openly shares his knowledge, land and resources to push the NWTF’s hunting heritage mission forward.
“Richard’s desire to promote our hunting heritage is evident in all he does for our organization,” NWTF CEO Becky Humphries said. “We are proud to honor Richard with this Roger Latham Award for his decades of outreach work that has introduced many newcomers to the NWTF and our passion for the wild turkey.”
The NWTF presents Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service awards to members who are not employed as professional wildlife managers but have made significant contributions to wild turkey conservation.
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. Today, the NWTF is focused on the future of hunting and conservation through its Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative – a charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to conserve or 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.
