EDGEFIELD, SC — On March 1, the NWTF received a commendation from Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, celebrating the federation’s 50th anniversary and its dedication to wild turkey conservation and preserving our hunting heritage.
“We are extremely proud to be recognized by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for our past 50 years of wild turkey conservation and hunting heritage,” said NWTF District Biologist Ricky Lackey. “We have a long history of conserving wild turkey in the great state of Georgia, and we are honored to be recognized by Governor Kemp.”
The eulogy details the impact of the NWTF 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 on public and private lands since 1985, and more $8.5 million in research to ensure future healthy wild turkey populations; and
WHEREAS, the National Wild Turkey Federation is the largest and longest-serving non-governmental management partner of the USDA Forest Service, conserving habitat on National Forest System Lands for more than 40 years and participating in the development and implementation of the USDA Wildfire Crisis Strategy; now
THEREFORE, I, BRIAN P. KEMP, Governor of the State of Georgia, do hereby congratulate and celebrate 50 years of the National Wild Turkey Federation.he Anniversary.”
The full eulogy can be found here.
“As a lifelong hunter, landowner and huge supporter of the NWTF, I was honored to recognize 50 years of the NWTFhe Anniversary on the floor of the Georgia House of Representatives,” said GA State Rep. Chas Cannon. “I am a firm believer in the NWTF’s core mission: to conserve the wild turkey and preserve our hunting heritage. Although I may be serving as a state representative under the Golden Dome in Atlanta, my favorite place to be is in the pine forests of South Georgia. I congratulate the NWTF on their 50 years of success and encourage them to continue their mission to conserve our game birds and preserve 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 in state law.
Learn more about the policy and advocacy work of the NWTF.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested more than half a billion dollars in wildlife conservation and has conserved or improved more than 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to advance wildlife conservation, forest resiliency, and robust recreational opportunities across the US by working beyond borders at the landscape scale.
2023 is the 50th of the NWTF he anniversary and an opportunity to push the organization’s mission into the future while honoring its rich history. for his 50 he 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 the people of NWTF; and raise $5 million to build a $50 million endowment for the future. Find out how you can help us achieve these lofty goals.