NWTF, Partners Showcase Amplified R3 Efforts at NEAFWA Conference
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — NWTF staff joined state and federal agency partners and other like-minded nongovernmental organizations at the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ 79th Annual Conference, held this year in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. NWTF staff showcased the organization’s collaborative Hunt for Good campaign and the NWTF’s new work to bring a landscape-scale approach to its R3 efforts.
“Our presentations were very well received,” said Morgan Evans, NWTF national R3 and relevancy coordinator. “The NWTF’s efforts to increase support of America’s hunting traditions and to welcome more people into the hunting community is critical to the longevity of our mission delivery, and we are proud to have support from our array of Northeastern partners.”
Evans presented two key presentations to agency and NGO representatives during the conference. The first showcased the Hunt for Good campaign and its upcoming implementation.
The Hunt for Good campaign is a comprehensive and customizable advertising campaign designed to increase nationwide cultural support for legal, regulated hunting amongst nonhunters through various ads that make it easy to see and understand the broad spectrum of benefits that hunting and shooting sports create.
Evans’ presentation described the process of developing and implementing this unique campaign, including extensive research and qualitative testing from industry experts to build the messages. She also demonstrated how partners can use these assets to increase cultural support for hunting, advertise positive conservation messaging and find ways to get involved that are specific to the Northeast.
Evans later presented how the NWTF is taking a landscape-scale approach to its hunting heritage efforts, similar to how the NWTF has grown its conservation impact.
“Our Big Six regions of wildlife conservation break apart the U.S. into six specific landscapes that determine purposeful conservation priorities for our actions,” Evans said. “It helps us identify and focus our efforts to be more specific and targeted. Our education and outreach department has now established a list of Big Six priorities for our efforts within the R3 world to align with the goals of the greater R3 community.”
In her discussions with NEAFWA attendees, Evans explained how the NWTF and its partners established these priorities.
Evans’ presentations come on the heels of the NWTF announcing a new Northeastern staff position that will facilitate collaboration among agencies, NGOs, volunteers and industry partners and lead cooperative efforts, support and infrastructure for the NWTF’s R3 work in all or portions of 15 Northeastern states.
Jess Warner, who is leading the new NWTF Northeast position, was also in attendance at the NEAFWA conference and was able to make vital connections to bolster collaborative education and outreach efforts.
NEAFWA is a quasi-governmental organization consisting of 13 states in the Northeast plus the District of Columbia and the provinces in east Canada.
The annual NEAFWA Conference attracts over 500 natural resources professionals in wildlife biology, fisheries and fisheries management, outreach and education, and law enforcement. The event provides opportunities for education, discussion and exchanging ideas.
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 23 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $9 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.