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NWTF Success Stories

L.L Bean Wins Lynn Boykin Hunting Heritage Award

NASHVILLE, Tenn. ― The National Wild Turkey Federation awarded L.L Bean with the Lynn Boykin Hunting Heritage Award for its contributions to conservation and the preservation of our hunting heritage.

February 15, 20252 min read

“We are incredibly honored to receive the Lynn Boykin Hunting Heritage Award,” said Karen Chase, charitable giving specialist at L.L. Bean. “This recognition means a great deal to us, so thank you again for awarding L.L. Bean with this distinction.”

The Lynn Boykin Hunting Heritage Award’s namesake was a former president and chairperson of the NWTF’s National Board of Directors. During her tenure, she emphasized the importance of hunting heritage and helped create a new outlook for the organization.

L.L. Bean was nominated for their commitment to making the great outdoors available to all. They have supported the NWTF through the organization’s education and outreach programs since 2005, and are focused on engaging people in outdoor recreation and encouraging stewardship of our natural resources.  

The NWTF has received grant funding from L.L. Bean to further its mission, essential to preserving our hunting heritage through recruitment, retention and reactivation efforts. Together the NWTF and L.L. Bean have created educational resources for those who are new to the outdoors, such as a four-part learn-to-hunt video series and online learning modules to support new hunters’ journeys.

In addition, the funding has allowed the NWTF to reach non-traditional audiences in urban areas with direct opportunities to experience conservation and hunting. With the support of L.L. Bean, NWTF volunteers have hosted programming in areas such as downtown Pittsburgh, Tulsa, Brooklyn and New Jersey. Events take place throughout the year and are often on public lands such as national wildlife refuges where participants can return on their own to continue honing their skills.

In addition to grant funding, L.L. Bean donated a custom Merkel shotgun for auction during the company’s 100th anniversary, with proceeds benefiting the NWTF’s JAKES program. Through the years, L.L. Bean has supported the NWTF’s work and provided funding to amplify the efforts of our grassroots volunteers. The support of L.L. Bean has been instrumental in the NWTF’s work to preserve our hunting heritage.  

“When our partners share a vision for the future with us, we are able to achieve remarkable things together, and that’s exactly what we have been doing with L.L. Bean,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “Through their contributions and focus, L.L. Bean has contributed significantly to the NWTF’s efforts to engage new and diverse audiences with our outdoor traditions, something Lynn Boykin would be proud of.” 

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.