Local NWTF Alabama Chapter Celebrates First Event, Hunting Heritage
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The Black Warrior Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation — based in Fosters, Alabama — successfully hosted its first hunting heritage banquet. With more than 200 attendees and 32 local sponsors, the chapter is building a strong foundation to further the NWTF mission in Alabama.
“It’s very important for the NWTF to have new chapters emerging and to host successful events like this one,” said Dillon Williams, NWTF regional director for Alabama. “This is a younger group of guys, so it was encouraging to see them put this thing together to raise money for wild turkey conservation and bring the community together.”
Lawson Turner, chapter president, promoted the event by reaching out to business owners, members of the community and engagement on social media.
Turner had always wanted to start his own chapter after attending NWTF events with his father for as long as he could remember. Growing up in such a dedicated community inspired him to create his own NWTF chapter.
Neighboring counties currently have three NWTF chapters, and there are two in Tuscaloosa County, one of which is the University of Alabama Chapter. But, none were near Turner, so he and seven of his friends, ages 23 to 30, got together to start their own chapter.
“We’ve been interested in starting a chapter for the past two years, and after talking with Dillon, our regional director, this year, we finally got the green light,” Turner said.
The committee's passion for the NWTF is rooted in their love for turkey hunting. Turner said he would do it every day if he could. He remembers the first time he ever went spring turkey hunting with his dad when he was just six years old.
“It was awesome to see the woods come alive in the morning and experience something that I’d never known before,” Turner said. “Hearing that turkey gobble off in the distance, and have it get closer and feeling it in my body was an awesome experience. I want to do anything that I can to help keep that around for my children one day.”
Turner and his committee are grateful for the opportunity to stand alongside generations of hunters working to preserve hunting heritage. When they first started planning their event, they envisioned a space where a few local turkey hunters could come hang out, learn and have fun.
They did not expect over 200 members of their community to rally behind them in support of what they were creating. They are proud of the event they created and excited to continue building their legacy within the NWTF.
The NWTF Black Warrior Chapter is excited to have raised money that will be put right back into conservation efforts.
With funds raised from local banquets like this one, the Alabama NWTF State Chapter and partners have been able to allocate $1.8 million for mission delivery in 2026. For 2026, funds are being put toward enhancing more than 100,000 acres statewide, purchasing 13 pieces of equipment ,and supporting education and outreach efforts.
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 25 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. Since 2022, the NWTF has also invested over $2.3 million in critical wild turkey research that, when leveraged with partner contributions, has resulted in more than $22 million to guide the management of the wild turkey and to ensure sustainable populations. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale to deliver healthy forests and wildlife habitats, clean and abundant water, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF is committed to creating a nation united by the life-changing power of the outdoors.