EDGEFIELD, S.C. — On August 12, the NWTF South Sound Strutters chapter, in partnership with The Young Guides Podcast, held its 5th annual Cedar River cleanup in Renton, Washington.
The culture of Western Washington is steeped in hunting and fishing, where enthusiasts seek out a wide variety of game and aquatic species. Yet, this pursuit also underscores the importance of conserving and maintaining the habitats that sustain these activities.
In the wake of the pandemic, the newly rekindled NWTF chapter in the region sought to make its mark by engaging in conservation efforts that extend beyond traditional turkey habitats.
In a collaborative venture, Russell McDonald, the president of NWTF South Sound Strutters, teamed up with Keaton Zyskowski, co-host of The Young Guides Podcast, to sponsor the podcast as an innovative platform to showcase the NWTF’s initiatives. Building on this partnership, Keaton, the driving force behind the Cedar River Cleanup event, invited the NWTF to join as partners in this annual endeavor.
The annual Cedar River Cleanup event drew in a diverse crowd of volunteers ranging in age from 8 to 80. With approximately 60 participants, the event aimed to restore the health of urban fisheries in Western Washington. Pollution and litter have marred these vital waterways, impacting fish populations and the broader ecosystem.
“Even though this event was not the brainchild of our chapter, we are happy to help show how the NWTF gives back to all habitats, not just turkey habitat,” said Michelle McDonald, who organized the chapter’s participation in the event.
The cleanup kicked off with volunteers gathering early in the morning; volunteers were divided into teams, each responsible for specific sections of the river. Equipped with trash bags, gloves and picker tools, volunteers set out on their mission to restore the riverbanks and trails.
Following hours of dedicated effort, volunteers returned to the base camp, where a food truck awaited to treat them to well-deserved pizza. During this time, the volunteers participated in raffles, with generous contributions from businesses such as Orvis, Bravo Manufacturing, Vortex, Alaska Rod Co, and many local businesses. Each volunteer left with a raffle prize and a sense of accomplishment, fostering a deeper connection between community members and the mission.
For the NWTF South Sound chapter, this event’s significance extended beyond its role as a community service initiative. The event served as a platform to highlight the chapter’s dedication to habitat management, underscoring that conservation goes beyond individual interests. With the Cedar River Cleanup event now in its fold, the chapter has demonstrated how non-traditional partnerships and creative thinking can create lasting impacts.
“We want to thank The Young Guides Podcast for thinking outside the box too and partnering with a hunting conservation group,” Michelle McDonald said. “If we work together, we can achieve great things.”
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 50th Anniversary and an opportunity to propel the organization’s mission into the future while honoring its rich history. For its 50th 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.
