NWTF Recognized for 50 Years by Virginia House of Delegates
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Earlier this week, in the Virginia General Assembly, the House of Delegates passed House Resolution 402, commending the NWTF on its 50 years of success.
“As we celebrate 50 years of conservation of the habitat and the wild turkey, our good work has not gone unnoticed,” said Jon Joyner, NWTF Virginia State Chapter president. “With our humble beginnings right here in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1973, our mission has continued to expand, but our core values remain unchanged. Our first 50 years have been instrumental in bringing back huntable populations of the wild turkey as well as preserving our hunting heritage through our outreach and conservation efforts. On a personal level, in my 30-plus years with the NWTF, this organization has brought me a tremendous amount of memories and friendships that will be everlasting. We are ready to rocket into our next 50 years to build upon the successes that we have already accomplished, as conservation never stops.”
The new resolution reads:
“…WHEREAS, members of the National Wild Turkey Federation have played a critical role in reversing the decline in hunting participation through nationwide investment in hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation efforts and by partnering with states to develop opportunities to engage people from all walks of life in outdoor activities; since 2012, the organization has recruited and reactivated more than 1.5 million hunters; and
WHEREAS, the National Wild Turkey Federation and its members have 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, while also providing more than $8.5 million in research throughout North America to ensure healthy wild turkey populations into the future … That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the National Wild Turkey Federation, Inc., as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for the tireless and selfless work of the organization and its members to further science-based, state-led wildlife management and the conservation of America’s wild turkey and its habitat.”
“A sincere ‘Thank You!’ goes out to Virginia DWR Director Ryan Brown, and Del. Brewer and Del. Edmunds for co-sponsoring the resolution, and for the entire House of Delegates for agreeing to adopt the resolution,” Joyner said.
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 in 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 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.