Coffey Receives National Conservation Award
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jim Coffey, forest wildlife biologist for Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources, was awarded the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Henry S. Mosby Award for his far-reaching contribution to wild turkey restoration efforts.
Coffey accepted the Henry S. Mosby Award during the NWTF’s 49th annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak. This award is named for Henry S. Mosby, Ph.D., whose research during the mid-1900s set the standard for wild turkey management.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized by the National Wild Turkey Federation, and by my colleagues as well,” Coffey said. “It’s an unexpected award. The awards are not why I come to work every day, which is what makes this so unexpected and special. My goal has always been healthy wild turkey populations for people to continue to enjoy into the future, and that’s what I hope I’ve brought to my position.”
Coffey attended his first NWTF convention in high school when it was in Des Moines, Iowa.
“I met some great people back then as well,” he said.
Throughout his career, he said he has had the privilege of working with some foundational wild turkey managers, such as Dr. Terry Little and Dr. Bill Porter.
Coffey, following in his father’s footsteps, has been a wildlife biologist for the Iowa DNR for over 20 years. Additionally, Coffey currently serves as the NWTF’s Iowa representative for the organization’s National Wild Turkey Technical Committee, a consortium of agency representatives who help the NWTF guide wild turkey research and management. Prior to his role in direct wild turkey management, Coffey served the NWTF as a regional director in Iowa.
Coffey is involved in all aspects of wildlife management. He contributes to research, management, policy and regulations of wildlife management, while the management of the wild turkey remains central to his day to day work.
In addition to the NWTF National Wild Turkey Technical Committee, Coffey is an active and respected member of the Midwest deer and turkey study groups. With turkey populations starting to decline, efforts to reengage in turkey research in southeast Iowa is critical. Coffey initiated a poult survival study and general population dynamics work that his department has been conducting for three years now, with an additional seven-year commitment.
“We are proud to honor Jim for his long commitment to the wild turkey and all of Iowa’s immense natural resources,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “We appreciate Jim’s insight on our National Wild Turkey Technical Committee and Wild Tukey Hunting Safety Task Force. We are proud to honor both his ongoing and past contributions to the wild turkey with the Henry S. Mosby Award.”
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.