02/26/2008
Illinois Volunteer Receives High Honors from NWTF
 Mike Lowder Click image for print quality version |
ATLANTA — Mike Lowder of Springfield, Ill., recently received the National Wild Turkey Federation's Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Award for his contributions to the NWTF's conservation legacy.
Each year, the conservation organization recognizes the conservation efforts of its best volunteers with the Latham Service Awards during its annual Convention and Sport Show, which took place Feb. 21 to Feb. 24 in Atlanta.
"Our volunteers are the best in the world, but some stand out from the rest," said Rob Keck, NWTF CEO. "This year's winners go out of their way to promote conservation, the wild turkey and our hunting heritage."
Latham Service Awards are given to NWTF members who are not employed as professional wildlife managers, but have made significant contributions to wild turkey conservation.
"I've read about Mr. Latham and his life, and have been amazed at how much he accomplished for wild turkeys and conservation." Lowder said after accepting the award. "It's truly an honor to have been nominated for, and won this award."
Lowder also said he's most proud of the amount of dollars his state and local chapters have raised and invested in projects that benefit wild turkeys and other wildlife.
"Mike's many years of volunteerism on the local and state levels have been instrumental to the NWTF's success," said NWTF Senior Regional Field Supervisor Frank Nix. "As a member of the NWTF's Illinois State Board, where he has served for more than a decade, his unique leadership has kept our volunteers focused on the NWTF's mission."
In addition to serving as Secretary of the NWTF's Illinois State Chapter Lowder also works as State Chapter Award Banquet Chairman and President of the Flatlander local chapter, which he helped form. Lowder also organizes events to introduce youth, women and disabled hunters to the outdoors and continues his work with the NWTF to benefit wildlife and preserve the hunting tradition.
"Latham Service Award recipients are some of our most dedicated volunteers," Keck said. "They know that hunters were the first, and best, conservationists, and they're going to make sure that hunting and conservation lasts for many years to come."
