Bay State Senate and House Honor NWTF’s 50th Anniversary
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Championed by Massachusetts State Senator Anne Gobi, a resolution honoring the NWTF’s 50th Anniversary and the organization’s conservation and hunting heritage milestones recently passed through the Massachusetts State Senate and House of Representatives.
“The NWTF has an incredible partnership working with MassWildlife to develop and implement conservation and hunter recruitment programs,” said Keith Fritze, NWTF Massachusetts State Chapter president. “While we don’t do this for recognition, we are beyond proud to be recognized by the elected officials of Massachusetts for delivering the incredible mission of the NWTF. This recognition is a testament to our dedicated volunteers across the state.”
The resolution, in part, reads:
"...WHEREAS, THE NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION, INC., ITS MEMBERS AND CHAPTERS HAVE BEEN AT THE VANGUARD OF REVERSING DECLINING HUNTING PARTICIPATION THROUGH NATIONWIDE INVESTMENT IN HUNTER RECRUITMENT, RETENTION AND REACTIVATION EFFORTS AND PARTNERING WITH STATES TO DEVELOP OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE IN THE OUTDOORS TRADITION, AND SINCE 2012, THE NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION, INC. HAS RECRUITED AND REACTIVATED MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION HUNTERS; AND
WHEREAS, THE NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION, INC. 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 MANY CHAPTERS HAVE INVESTED MORE THAN $8.5 MILLION IN RESEARCH THROUGHOUT NORTH AMERICA TO ENSURE HEALTHY WILD TURKEY POPULATIONS INTO THE FUTURE…”
Gobi recently presented the resolution at the Central Massachusetts Chapter’s annual banquet and reiterated the importance of the work of the NWTF, especially in Massachusetts.
NWTF Massachusetts volunteers recently finished their 50 Calls for 50 Years silent auction that saw significant funds raised for mission delivery across the state. Moreover, NWTF volunteers in the Bay State participated and spoke at a recent R3 summit hosted by MassWildlife to highlight how the organization’s collaboration with the state wildlife agency had yielded benefits in creating and sustaining new adult hunters.
Learn more about the great work happening in Massachusetts.
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 into 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 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.