05/13/2010
Time to Nominate Educators for Prestigious Award
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation presents its annual Conservation Educator of the Year award to an exceptional teacher or instructor who incorporates conservation and the amazing comeback story of the wild turkey into their lessons for North America's youth.
As this year's academic year comes to a close, the time has come to nominate candidates for the 2010 award. Applications to nominate a worthy instructor are available at http://www.nwtf.org/jakes/educators/award.html. Educators also may personally apply for the award. Submissions must be postmarked by June 1 to be eligible.
"An important part of any young person's education is teaching them how to conserve our natural resources," said Christine Rolka, NWTF director of education. "Through this award we say 'thanks' to the many educators across North America who take the lead in teaching youth to appreciate the animals and habitat found in the great outdoors."
Each year, the NWTF recognizes educators who demonstrate the most innovative use of the Wild About Turkey Education Box and also show their commitment to teaching conservation education in the classroom with its Conservation Educator of the Year award.
Suitable for all grade levels, the education box is a scaled replica of the wild turkey transport box used by wildlife agencies to move wild turkeys to new areas. It is filled with teaching tools including a complete set of multi-curriculum lesson plans, a full-color bulletin board kit, an entertaining video and multimedia CD/ROM, a poster, reference material and keepsakes for the students.
The winner of the 2010 award will receive a plaque and a $1,000 grant to fund a conservation education project in his or her classroom for next school year, and will be recognized during the NWTF's 35th annual National Convention and Sport Show next February in Nashville, Tenn.
Since 1999, NWTF local chapters have donated more than 30,000 Wild About Turkey Education Boxes to educators in public schools, museums, nature centers, visitor centers and state parks nationwide.
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.
The Federation works to increase interest in the outdoors by bringing new hunters and conservationists into the fold through outdoor education events and its outreach programs - Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES.
For more information, visit www.nwtf.org or call (800) THE-NWTF for details.
