Cushing Earns Conservation Award
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Scott Cushing received national recognition from the National Wild Turkey Federation as a recipient of a Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Award for his decades-long service and unfaltering dedication to wild turkey conservation and preserving our hunting heritage.
"In a time when hunting is scrutinized and misunderstood, it takes a hunting organization like the NWTF to be stewards of the land,” Cushing said. “They’ve improved habitat, conserved wildlife and brought the wild turkey back in great numbers. This award is an honor.”
Cushing received one of five Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service awards at the 46th annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak.
Cushing became an NWTF member in 1990 and has since been an active member, local chapter officer, banquet chairman and served as the Massachusetts State Chapter president for two terms. Over the course of three decades, Cushing has continued to be an active and instrumental volunteer in Massachusetts. His enthusiastic leadership and volunteerism, from the NWTF’s early grassroots years, has been unfaltering.
The Massachusetts State Chapter has benefitted greatly from Cushing’s collaborative skills and his ability to link people together. His desire to inspire others while providing hunting opportunities through both his knowledge and love for conservation has benefitted the NWTF, the state’s Youth Turkey Hunting Program and the respect people have for the organization in Massachusetts and beyond.
“Scott’s 30-year history with the NWTF speaks to his passion for our mission,” NWTF CEO Becky Humphries said. “The fact that he is just as impassioned about the mission as he was 30 years ago speaks volumes. We are thrilled to recognize Scott’s dedication and efforts with this Roger Latham Award.”
The NWTF presents Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service awards to members who are not employed as professional wildlife managers but have made significant contributions to wild turkey conservation.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
When the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in 1973, there were about 1.3 million wild turkeys in North America. After decades of work, that number hit a historic high of almost 7 million turkeys. To succeed, the NWTF stood behind science-based conservation and hunters' rights. Today, the NWTF is focused on the future of hunting and conservation through its Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative. Since 2012, this 10-year initiative has already eclipsed goals of conserving or enhancing more than 4 million acres of essential wildlife habitat, recruiting or retaining more than 1.5 million hunters and opening access to more than 500,000 acres for hunting and other recreation opportunities. This critical work will continue to impact wildlife habitat and our great outdoors in the final year of the initiative.