Thompson Earns Conservation Award

“I am greatly humbled in receiving the National NWTF Roger Latham Award, considering those who have received it before me,” Thompson said. “I have never felt like my work was a job or burden but more of a blessing in serving the Arkansas and national sportsmen and women across this country. It is a responsibility living within me that we each should give back to ensure tomorrow’s hunters and outdoor enthusiast have the same opportunities that we, before them, have so enjoyed. We each get caught up in today’s society and requirements but need to all remember that the very roots of our world revolve around nature and its wellbeing. I may have received this award on an individual basis, but it truly goes out to so many local and state conservationists and boots-on-the-ground volunteers who work hard daily in raising the funding to make things happen. My wife Cindy and I are blessed beyond wealth in being able to be a part of so much great work going on in our state daily and just knowing we had a small part of making it happen. The NWTF has set a standard for others to follow in conservation work nationwide.”

Thompson 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. 

Throughout the course of his involvement with the NWTF, Thompson has been a strong advocate for the NWTF mission across Arkansas, whether it be working collaboratively and innovatively for wild turkey conservation or being dedicated and determined to preserving our hunting heritage.

As Arkansas State Chapter president, Thompson helped forge partnerships that ultimately helped restore hundreds of acres of wildlife habitat, benefitting wild turkeys, numerous other wildlife, overall biodiversity and increasing public hunting opportunities. Thompson was also highly active in allocating funds to land purchases that conserved habitat and provided hunters more access to get afield. 

Thomson was an integral liaison to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, sitting on the R3 Committee and Outdoor Partnership, which focused on increasing participation in hunting and fishing, as well as conservation of the state’s natural resources. 

“Whether it’s collaborating with agency partners to conserve wild turkeys or being a dedicated NWTF volunteer and enhancing our outreach events in Arkansas, Terry’s commitment to the NWTF mission is undeniable,” NWTF CEO Becky Humphries said. “We are elated to recognize Terry’s efforts with a 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.