Leaders Gather to Inspire a Culture of Conservation
NASHVILLE, TENN. – At the NWTF’s 50th anniversary celebration, NWTF co-CEOs Becky Humphries and Kurt Dyroff assembled a group of leaders from across the conservation industry — including company CEOs, federal agency leaders and state wildlife directors, among other steadfast conservationists — to discuss conservation and hunting’s most pressing issues.
“This is an opportunity to learn from one another and discuss the issues that keep us up at night,” Humphries said. “There are puzzles we still need to solve; for instance, turkey populations are declining in many regions, and the current season structures in some states may not work the best. The NWTF is investing heavily in wild turkey research and working through our technical committee to address these challenges.”
NWTF National Director of Conservation Services Mark Hatfield spotlighted the NWTF’s commitment to wild turkey research, including the organization’s recent $360,000 investment into research projects across the country, the significant contribution of NWTF state chapters, and he even alluded to new, forthcoming research investments.
“We are not just investing in research to say we are investing in research,” he said. “We are investing in projects that are making a difference and are additive to our body of knowledge about this bird we love. We are going to keep this momentum we created going.”
The group also discussed the broader conservation challenges our nation’s forests, grasslands and wild places face and noted that they are just as much societal as they are ecological.
Americans are increasingly becoming more urbanized, hunting less and being further disconnected from their natural resources. The group discussed that when fewer people are engaged with nature and their natural resources, it is harder to garner management support, even when management is scientifically backed.
For instance, the leaders mentioned that certain groups in the general public are less receptive to forest management when they learn that forest products are commercialized. Whether or not forest products are commercialized does not affect the result of creating better habitat, clean water, increased recreational opportunities and healthy carbon-sequestering forests. Inspiring a culture of conservation for all Americans and bolstering social license was central to the discussion.
However, the journey of 1,000 miles starts with a single step, and it is often difficult deciding where to place that first step. There was agreement that creating a culture of conservation among hunters and landowners is a great place to start. Whether landowners have one acre or 1,000, creating stewards of the land is crucial to garnering social license to deliver conservation on a landscape scale.
Be it wild turkey populations, forest health, public perception, advocacy on Capitol Hill or the myriad of other topics that were discussed, the gathering of leaders and their discussion highlighted the breadth of the NWTF’s mission delivery and how the organization works tirelessly in all capacities to conserve wild turkeys and preserve our hunting heritage.
Dyroff closed the meeting by thanking Humphries for her immense service and challenged the group to come together more frequently to address the challenges ahead.
In addition to those mentioned above, attendees included Homer Wilkes, USDA; James Tillman, NRCS; Louis Aspey, NRCS; Sheldon Hightower, NRCS; Johnny and John Paul Morris, Bass Pro Shops (virtual); Bob Ziehmer, Bass Pro Shops; Jim and Marcus Neiman; Neiman Enterprises; Harlan Starr, NWTF National Board of Directors; Jeff Crane, CSF; Joel Pederson, Mule Deer Foundation; Louie Perry, Corner Stone Government Affairs; Nick Wiley, Ducks Unlimited; Toxy Haas, Mossy Oak; Bob Lanka, The Wildlife Society; James Cummins, Wildlife Mississippi; Scott Philips, South Carolina Forestry Commission; Chuck Sykes, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; Rob Harper, Forest Service; Frank Beum, Forest Service; David Gagner, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; Matt Lindler, NWTF; and Tom Spezze, NWTF.
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 conserved or enhanced over 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to drive wildlife conservation, forest resiliency and robust recreational opportunities throughout the U.S. by working across boundaries on a landscape scale.
2023 is the NWTF's 50th anniversary and an opportunity to propel the organization's mission into the future while honoring its rich history. For its 50th anniversary, the NWTF has set six ambitious goals: positively impact 1 million acres of wildlife habitat; raise $500,000 for wild turkey research; increase membership to 250,000 members; dedicate $1 million to education and outreach programs; raise $5 million to invest in technology and NWTF's people; and raise $5 million to build toward a $50 million endowment for the future. Learn how you can help us reach these lofty goals.