McLaughlin Receives National Award for R3 Efforts
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nancy McLaughlin, of Becker, Minnesota, has been instrumental in bolstering the NWTF’s education and outreach events in her state. For her efforts, the NWTF honored McLaughlin with the Annie Oakley Award.
McLaughlin received the Annie Oakley Award, the highest honor given to a Women in the Outdoors volunteer, during the NWTF’s 50th anniversary celebration at its 47th annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak.
Annie Oakley, known best for her shooting skills, also influenced generations of women to try something new. The same is true for McLaughlin.
McLaughlin is a staunch mentor who does everything in her power to deliver the NWTF mission in Minnesota. Her involvement with the organization started as an attendee of the Sand Dunes Gobblers’ banquet. McLaughlin’s local Minnesota NWTF flock inspired her to eventually become a committee member on the local chapter’s board, and she is now the chapter president. Her desire to provide hunting opportunities and share the outdoors with others is described by her peers as infectious.
Recently, McLaughlin orchestrated and hosted the inaugural Minnesota WITO Mentored Turkey Hunt in 2021 and followed it up again in 2022.
McLaughlin’s Sand Dunes Gobblers Chapter also hosted a mentored turkey hunt on the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in 2022. The hunt ran the entire spring turkey season with mentors taking hunters out all season in several areas of the refuge.
You’ll find McLaughlin mentoring hunters through her chapter’s events and also active on the NWTF Minnesota State Chapter Board of Directors. She’s constantly delivering the NWTF mission in all capacities throughout Minnesota, from habitat enhancement, fundraising and outreach events.
“Volunteers like Nancy continue to make the NWTF successful,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “Her commitment to the NWTF mission and her ability to bring new hunters into the flock are extraordinary. Having just spent time Nancy, I was able to see firsthand the impact she is making in the great state of Minnesota. We are proud to honor her with the Annie Oakley 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 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 50-year celebration, 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 the 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.