03/05/2010
New Gloucester 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.
 Robert Cotiaux of New Gloucester, Maine, received a Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Award during the National Wild Turkey Federation's National Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, Tenn. Click image for print quality version |
This year the NWTF presented a Latham service award to Robert Cotiaux of New Gloucester, Maine, for his contributions to the NWTF's conservation legacy. Cotiaux 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.
"Robert Cotiaux 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 the NWTF's nearly 350,000 volunteers.
"My father was a conservationist and he ingrained in his children an appreciation for the outdoors," Cotiaux said after accepting the award. "Like my father, I'm inspired to continue improving wildlife habitat in Maine so the next generation — including my 7-year-old daughter — will have access to the same outdoor opportunities I've enjoyed.
Cotiaux has been an NWTF member for 15 years and was recently elected president of the NWTF's Maine State Chapter. His desire to improve turkey habitat in Maine is what motivated him to join the Federation.
He's helped manage habitat, worked on nuisance turkey issues and, three years ago, represented the NWTF on a study about using herbicides to combat invasive species. This bow hunting instructor says that, more than anything, he loves introducing kids to the great outdoors.
"Robert Cotiaux 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."
Gary Watts of Arkansas, Harold Runge of Illinois, Tim Blum of New Jersey and Richard Layser of Virginia also were recognized with Latham service awards at this year's NWTF convention.
The National Wild Turkey Federation 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 more 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.
