Edgefield Community Celebrates NWTF’s 50th Anniversary
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — In honor of the National Wild Turkey Federation’s 50th Anniversary, hundreds of residents from the community where NWTF’s headquarters is located came together on the downtown square to celebrate 50 years of the conservation organization’s dedication to the mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.
“We are grateful for everyone who came out to the Edgefield Square to help us celebrate this incredible milestone,” said Cari Bennett, NWTF licensing coordinator and organizer of the community celebration. “The energy on the square was unlike any event we’ve had before. Thank you again to the community for supporting us for so many years.”
In honor of this incredible milestone, the attendees were treated to a cake-cutting ceremony, raffling of a Recteq pellet smoker and the 2023 NWTF Gun of the Year, deals from local businesses and a free concert featuring country music artists Clay Page and Laine Hardy.
“It means so much to all of us at the NWTF to see the local Edgefield community come together in support of the ideals we stand for,” NWTF co-CEO Jason Burckhalter said. “Our mission to conserve the wild turkey and preserve our hunting heritage has been the backbone of the organization for our 50-year history, and we are not wavering from that commitment as we look to the future.”
Before the cake cutting, Burckhalter addressed the crowd and shared the organization’s goals set to celebrate the golden anniversary.
In honor its 50th Anniversary, the NWTF will:
- Reach 250,000 adult members.
- Raise $500,000 for wild turkey research.
- Positively impact 1 million acres of critical wildlife habitat.
- Dedicate $1,000,000 to education and outreach programs.
- Raise $5,000,000 to modernize IT infrastructure and invest in the organization’s people.
- Raise $5,000,000 to build toward a $50,000,000 endowment.
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 50-year celebration, 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 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.