03/08/2010
Paris Resident Earns National Conservation Award
EDGEFIELD, S.C.— Volunteers are the driving force behind the National Wild Turkey Federation's conservation successes, and each year the NWTF recognizes the best of the best with the Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Awards.
 For his contributions to the National Wild Turkey Federation's conservation legacy, Arkansas's Gary Watts received a Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Award. He was presented the award during the Federation's national convention, which took place in Nashville, Tenn. Click image for print quality version |
This year the NWTF presented a Latham service award to Gary Watts of Paris, Ark., for his contributions to the NWTF's conservation legacy. Watts received the award in Nashville, Tenn., during the NWTF's 34th annual National Convention and Sport Show, themed "Conserve. Hunt. Share. - Live the Tradition." The convention was sponsored by MidwayUSA.
"Gary Watts shows tireless dedication to promoting conservation and hunting and sharing his passion for the outdoors," said James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D., the NWTF's chief conservation officer. "We are pleased to honor his commitment to excellence with this award."
The 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. Winners are chosen from a field of more than 350,000 NWTF volunteers.
"Anyone who knows me, knows that I never miss the NWTF convention," said Watts. "My favorite weekend of the year is when I come to the convention, and to win an award here is one of the highlights of my life."
Watts has been an NWTF member since 1991 and a Diamond Life Member for two years. He served on the Arkansas State Board of Directors for the past 11 years and is in his fourth year as president of the NWTF's Arkansas State Chapter.
He founded the Mt. Magazine NWTF Chapter and has served in many capacities to contribute to that chapter's success and the success of many other chapters. Watts was named the NWTF's Arkansas State Volunteer of the Year in 2007.
"Gary Watts knows conservation, hunting and introducing people to the outdoors go hand in hand," Kennamer said. "He is one of our most dedicated volunteers, and we are proud to recognize all he does to ensure that our children and grandchildren can live the hunting tradition for many years to come."
Harold Runge of Illinois, Robert Cotiaux of Maine, Tim Blum of New Jersey and Richard Layser of Virginia were also were recognized with Latham service awards at this year's NWTF convention.
The NWTF is a nonprofit conservation organization that works daily to further its mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage. Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $306 million to conserve 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.
For more information about the Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Awards or other convention highlights, call (800) THE-NWTF or visit www.nwtf.org.
2010 Convention Sponsors: Affinity4, ATK/Federal Premium Ammunition, Bank of America, Bass Pro Shops, Benelli, Browning, Call Makers and Collectors Association of America, CamoFX, Chevrolet, Farm Service Agency, Foxy Huntress, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, HuntVe, Knight Rifles, Leupold & Stevens, Marlin Firearms Company, MeadWestvaco, MidwayUSA, Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, National Band & Tag Co., O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., Mossy Oak and The Pursuit Channel, The Outdoor Connection, Remington Arms Company, Inc., SHE Outdoor Apparel, TriStar Sporting Arms, USDA Forest Service, Weatherby, Inc., Wild Turkey Bourbon, Winchester Division/Olin Corp.
