Green Mountain State Legislators Celebrate 50 years of NWTF
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The Vermont State Senate and House of Representatives recently passed a concurrent resolution congratulating the NWTF on its 50th Anniversary and honoring the organization’s far-reaching conservation and hunting heritage milestones, both in Vermont and across the U.S.
“We are very proud of the wild turkey’s success story here in Vermont,” said Ron Lafreniere, NWTF Lake Champlain Longbeards Chapter president. “It is through our decades-long partnership with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department that the wild turkey was brought back from extirpation, and it is through our collaboration that we continue to create healthy habitats and introduce people to the joys of the spring season.”
The resolution, in part, reads:
“… Whereas, the Vermont natural resources agenda of the NWTF is “to maintain healthy hardwood forests, stop habitat loss, and increase habitat diversity and winter wildlife survival,” and, during the past five years, NWTF has made 1,031 acres accessible to hunting, while, in the same time period, it has recruited 264 new hunters…”
The resolution was made possible thanks to the efforts of Rep. Patrick Brennan. The Vermont House of Representative recently attended a cookout hosted by the NWTF Lake Champlain Longbeards and presented NWTF volunteers with Concurrent House Resolution 94.
“Our Vermont Lake Champlain Longbeards Chapter is at the forefront of delivering the NWTF mission,” said Carter Heath, NWTF New England regional director. “Facilitating the passage of this joint resolution just shows that our volunteers are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty. We are proud of their efforts delivering the mission, and being recognized for it.”
The NWTF has a rich history working with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department on wild turkey restoration efforts. Learn more about the wild turkey’s success in the Green Mountain State.
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.