02/23/2009
Alabama Resident Earns Major Award
 Bev Leigh, III, received the C.B. McLeod Award at the NWTF's Convention and Sport Show. Click image for print quality version |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Bev Leigh, III, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., received the C.B. McLeod Award during the National Wild Turkey Federation's National Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, Tenn., held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center Feb. 19 to Feb. 22.
The C.B. McLeod Award is given each year to an NWTF volunteer who has dedicated his or her life to wildlife, conservation and our hunting heritage. It is given in honor of NWTF volunteer C.B. McLeod, a banker from Crestview, Fla., who was instrumental in keeping the NWTF moving forward during its formative years.
"Volunteering with the NWTF has been a pleasure and a labor of love and I am honored to be recognized for serving this great organization," Leigh said after accepting the award. "The NWTF has a strong following of enthusiastic volunteers in Alabama, and I hope my winning this award will inspire even more people to join us."
Leigh, an NWTF Diamond Life Member and long-time hunter, has an extensive history with the Federation.
He was the Charter President for the NWTF's Alabama State Chapter and still serves on the state chapter's board of directors. He also was a founding member of the Tuscaloosa Chapter, which has grown into one of the state's strongest NWTF chapters, and has served on the chapter's banquet committee for 23 years.
Leigh has been instrumental in the NWTF's fundraising efforts, having helped launch the NWTF Diamond Life Program in 2006 and co-host the NWTF's first Diamond Life Dinner. Since it's inception, the program has raised nearly $400,000 to help further the NWTF's mission of wildlife conservation and the preservation of the hunting tradition.
"Bev sets the standard for volunteerism," commented James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D., the NWTF's chief conservation officer. "He works tirelessly to promote every aspect of the NWTF's mission of conserving wildlife and our nation's resources and preserving the hunting tradition. His level of commitment is outstanding."
In addition to his fundraising successes, Leigh also promotes the need to change outdated game laws, guides the Alabama State Chapter board of directors to direct money toward managing wildlife habitat and purchasing lands for public use, and works to introduce new hunters into the NWTF flock and fund scholarships for young people interested in a wildlife-related career.
Leigh also served as the first volunteer coordinator for the Alabama Governor's One Shot Turkey Hunts, which help promote hunting and tourism within the state.
"Bev has made the NWTF part of his life's work and he continues to amaze all of us in Alabama with his commitment and energy," said Mike Colquett, president of the NWTF's Alabama State Chapter.
