South Sound Strutters Awarded with National Conservation Field Day Award
The NWTF South Sound Strutters Chapter, based in western Washington State, was awarded the NWTF Conservation Field Day Award for the chapter’s Cedar River Cleanup Event. Representatives from the chapter accepted the award at the NWTF’s 49th annual Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak.
“We’re pretty excited about winning,” said Michelle McDonald, South Sound Strutters Chapter member. “As a chapter out here on the West Coast, it’s hard to do conservation work, because we’re in a more urban setting. We’re slowly getting more people from the hunting community out there, which is nice that everyone wants to give back. We’re really excited to represent thinking outside of the box and doing something different.”
This event has been held for the past six years, and the South Sound Strutter has actively participated for the last three years.
The chapter’s Cedar River Cleanup Event, which had 67 total participants, partnered with The Young Guides Podcast and other partners to foster collaboration between hunters and anglers, enhancing urban fisheries in the area. With more areas becoming urbanized, cleanup events like this are critical to conserving the beauty of the natural spaces that remain.
Volunteers spent their mornings removing debris from the river, and in the afternoon, they celebrated with a free lunch and a chance to enter free raffles. The event also promoted upcoming NWTF activities. Following the event, the chapter hosted an online seminar on fall turkey hunting, providing an opportunity for anyone interested in the topic to expand their knowledge.
“There are so many ways to bring in new audiences to the NWTF mission, and the South Sound Strutters did an excellent job showing the connection between clean and healthy natural spaces with the NWTF mission,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “We are excited to see our local chapters getting their hands dirty, taking initiative and fostering a community of conservation.”
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 24 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.