Atlanta — The National Wild Turkey Federation honored 1st Sgt. Richard Todd Campbell with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources as the 2008 NWTF Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
Campbell was recognized during the Saturday Awards Banquet at the NWTF’s annual Convention and Sport Show held Feb. 21 to Feb. 24 in Atlanta, for his efforts in conserving America’s wildlife.
“Without the tremendous level of support for wild turkey conservation from wildlife officers such as Sgt. Campbell, restoration efforts and wildlife management strategies would never have succeeded,” said Rob Keck, NWTF CEO. “We want to ensure that they receive the thanks and recognition they so richly deserve.”
Campbell received the South Carolina State Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award, making him eligible for the NWTF’s National Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
“Accepting this award is a lifetime achievement for me. I’ve spent 13 years of hard work for something I believe in — the future of hunting and my kids. In my line of work, I believe the most important thing is to make sure future generations are able to hunt like I’ve been able to,” said Campbell. “A lot of dedicated and deserving officers are here, and to be nominated among such company is an honor in itself.”
According to Capt. William Poole, SCDNR Law Enforcement Division, Campbell has dedicated himself to protecting wildlife in the Palmetto State and educating the public about conservation and the role hunting plays in wildlife management. He is especially dedicated to stopping wild turkey violators.
“Todd, being a dedicated turkey hunter himself, puts a little extra emphasis on turkey violations,” Poole said. “His accomplishments this year were extraordinary. He is the most dedicated Game Warden I have ever worked with.”
Although 2008 marks the NWTF’s 32nd annual Convention and Sport Show, the Federation has spent 35 years shaping a legacy of wild turkey conservation and preservation of the hunting tradition. Since 1973, the Federation’s ranks have grown to more than 550,000 members across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
About the NWTF: In 1973, when the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded, there were an estimated 1.3 million wild turkeys and 1.5 million turkey hunters. Thanks to the work of wildlife agencies and the NWTF’s many volunteers and partners, today there are more than 7 million wild turkeys and nearly 3 million turkey hunters. Since 1985, the NWTF and its cooperators have spent more than $258 million upholding hunting traditions and conserving more than 13.1 million acres of wildlife habitat.
The NWTF is a nonprofit organization with more than 550,000 members in 50 states, Canada, Mexico and 14 other foreign countries. It supports scientific wildlife management on public, private and corporate lands as well as wild turkey hunting as a traditional North American sport.
For more information about the NWTF, call (800)-THE-NWTF or visit www.nwtf.org .
