California’s Future in Conservation: NWTF Celebrates Game Warden Graduates
EDGEFIELD, SC— The National Wild Turkey Federation recently helped celebrate the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s newest game warden graduates.
The graduation ceremony, held in a packed auditorium of family members, outdoor enthusiasts and conservation organizations, saw 54 cadets sworn in as wildlife officers—the largest class of graduates in recent history.
After completing 30 weeks of rigorous training, the cadets were honored in a tradition that includes the attendance of conservation organizations to present awards, extend congratulations and express gratitude for the cadets' future work in natural resource conservation.
Krista Modlin, NWTF district biologist for California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, represented the NWTF at the event to demonstrate the organization’s support and commitment to conservation.
"It was an honor to witness these 54 new wildlife officers graduate," Modlin said. "These officers will be out in the field helping us continue our mission of conserving our wildlife and preserving hunting heritage across the state."
As part of the celebration, the NWTF sponsored the Top Report Writer award, presenting the recipient with a 50th Anniversary WoodHaven call.
The ceremony concluded with the badge-pinning and the swearing-in of the officers. Family members lined up along the stage to pin the badges on their loved ones, marking the beginning of their journey as wildlife officers committed to conserving California’s natural resources.
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 positively impacted over 23 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.