Conservation Week Volunteer Spotlight: Midwest

From hosting local banquets to leading conservation projects, mentoring new hunters and building community partnerships, individuals dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage are the driving force behind the NWTF. Thanks to their boots-on-the-ground efforts, the NWTF continues to drive the conservation of critical wildlife habitat across the country on a landscape scale.    

For NWTF’s 2025 Conservation Week, the organization is spotlighting volunteers from each region who continue to go above and beyond for the mission.    

Here are some of the volunteers that are moving the mission needle in the Midwest!    

Caleb Handlogten, Michigan 

Handlogten has been involved with the NWTF since he was a kid, starting when his father was the president of the local NWTF Coldwater River Chapter. Now, years later, Handlogten is following in his father’s footsteps.  

NWTF regional director Brandon Nutt connected with Handlogten this past year and recommended that he take over the chapter as president. Along with the help of his friends and chapter committee, Handlogten led the chapter’s annual banquet to generate over $10,000 more from the previous banquets.   

“My favorite moment was seeing the look on everyone’s faces when we ran all the numbers at the end of our first banquet,” Handlogten said. “We blew my expectations, and we brought in way more money than we anticipated. And I still have people coming up to me saying how much fun they had at the banquet.” 

Leading up to their event, Handlogten and his committee went to other banquets to see how they were run, but they also had fun getting creative with how they wanted to run their own event. Handlogten said it was also great talking with his dad about the banquet, because he was able to offer support, advice and stories from his time as chapter president.  

“Caleb is a top-of-the-line NWTF volunteer, and what sets him apart is his passion for conservation and his drive for a successful fundraising event,” Nutt said. “His dedication and passion have made an incredible impact on the NWTF and its mission and we are beyond thankful to have him!” 

Looking ahead, Handlogten hopes to continue fundraising money so his chapter can eventually donate money to local high schools that have trapping, archery or rifle shooting teams.  

“I hope to keep reaching out to people and get them involved with turkey hunting and conservation,” Handlogten said. “I love turkey hunting. It’s my favorite thing to do, and to be a part of an organization that helps sustain that and pass it on to the next generation and spread the love means so much.”  

Pat Navarre, Indiana 

With a long history of involvement, Navarre is dedicated to spreading the NWTF’s conservation mission throughout Indiana. 

He started his own chapter over 30 years ago by bringing in members from his community. Four years ago, he joined the Indiana NWTF State Board, where he was put in charge of the scholarship committee. After two years in that role, he moved into the position of Indiana NWTF State Education and Outreach Coordinator. 

“I enjoy it because my background is in education,” Navarre said. “I can talk about my passion for the NWTF. This role allowed me to work with all ages, from youngsters to 70-plus. I love chatting with anyone about the wild turkey and conservation.” 

Navarre has dedicated his own time to working with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Master Naturalist Program by teaching them the history of the wild turkey, and sharing the extensive conservation efforts the NWTF is involved in. He emphasizes to attendees that you don’t need to be a turkey hunter to be involved and support the NWTF’s mission. 

“Navarre is the kind of volunteer who always makes things happen,” said Teresa Carroll, NWTF education and outreach program coordinator. “From collegiate and civic group educational talks to serving on the state scholarship committee for Indiana, he represents NWTF and its mission with professionalism and passion.” 

As he looks ahead, Navarre hopes to continue promoting the NWTF’s mission.  

“We need to continue getting the word out about the good work that we do,” Navarre said. “I also think we can get more young people involved by focusing on Field to Fork events and foraging.” 

Navarre has enjoyed working with youth at the annual Indiana Junior Master Naturalist Camp and seeing them get excited about having their own turkey calls. He’s inspired by the interactions he has with young people who are interested in what he is talking about. He hopes to continue bridging the gap between conservation and hunting, all while inspiring his community to get involved.   

Dave Potter, Michigan 

Potter is a dedicated volunteer who works to provide equal opportunities for everyone to participate in outdoor sports.  

As the current president of the local NWTF Beard and Spurs Chapter, he has worked to build a JAKES event for youth with special needs, a demographic that doesn’t get the opportunity to try outdoor shooting sports or fishing unless someone provides those opportunities.  

This year’s event, taking place on Sept. 25^th, will offer participants the opportunity to try archery, slingshots, fishing and more. In the past, they’ve done things like turkey calling and hands-on art projects. Potter also works with local school districts to recruit 10 National Honor Society students to mentor more than 60 kids with special needs, allowing the students to create a bond and community. 

“My favorite NWTF memory is this one that’s coming up at this JAKES events,” Potter said. “The smiles on everyone’s faces — not only the kids, but the volunteers and the adults — are never-ending.” 

The NWTF Beard and Spurs Chapter was started over 30 years ago by a group of people that included Potter’s father. He and his brothers were always helping their dad, and the NWTF quickly became a part of their family heritage.  

“It's important to me that the future of hunting continues on,” Potter said. “It was ingrained in me as a young man, and I want to see that tradition keep going. I’m getting my 27-year-old son involved, hoping to pass the torch on to him.” 

As he approaches his retirement years, Potter hopes that the younger generation, including his son, will step up and continue the work that he’s dedicated his life to building. He also hopes that his chapter continues to grow and spread the NWTF’s conservation mission.  

He’s especially proud of the money his chapter has raised to help with conservation in his state. Ryan Boyer, NWTF district biologist, always shares habitat projects within the state of Michigan and Potter loves having the opportunity to see the fruits of his committee’s labor.  

“Dave is a great volunteer, leader and friend who inspires those around him with his energy and passion for conservation,” said Aaron Shaughnessy, NWTF regional director. “Following in his father's footsteps, he’s carrying on the legacy of service to the NWTF with dedication and pride.”