NWTF and NRCS Recognize Mike Oliver with National Conservation Awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Mike Oliver, retired Natural Resources Conservation Service and NWTF liaison, accepted the NRCS Making Tracks Award during the NWTF’s 49th annual Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak.
The Making Tracks with the NRCS Award recognizes people or projects that best incorporate conservation education, partnerships and wild turkey management to support the NWTF’s conservation delivery.
Oliver has provided leadership and knowledge to assist the NWTF and the NRCS in a successful partnership. He is a professional forester with immense knowledge in forest management and wildlife management, with over 20 years of knowledge on NRCS programs and how NWTF-affiliated foresters could successfully navigate the sometimes-complicated USDA conservation programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or EQIP, and the Conservation Stewardship Program, or CSP. These programs provide technical and financial assistance to private landowners across the country.
Oliver was instrumental in bringing together NRCS regional foresters, NRCS state foresters and NWTF foresters in the National Forestry Initiative partnership.
He also brought together NWTF foresters involved in state-specific agreements with NRCS for a three-day workshop in 2023 in Ft. Collins, Colorado. This workshop featured presentations for the regional foresters and NRCS state foresters to highlight forest conservation issues and solutions. The attendees were able to go into the field to view actual EQIP projects on private lands in the Estes Park area of Colorado.
After this workshop, he assisted with developing another training session for NWTF foresters and NRCS forestry staff at the NWTF Convention in 2024, which included an hour with NRCS Chief Terry Cosby visiting with attendees about his NRCS experience.
Oliver’s conservation ethic and knowledge of wildlife, especially the wild turkey and its habitats, have proved to be a great asset in furthering the relationship between the NRCS and the NWTF.
In 2022, he helped get a second iteration of the National Forestry Initiative agreement in place, which extended NFI an additional five years.
Oliver’s guidance and impact as a valuable partner have made large impacts that are a path toward future relationships between the NWTF and NRCS.
“Our National Forestry Initiative has allowed us to deliver critical conservation projects on private lands across the country,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “Mike has been a national facilitator in this effective partnership, and we are thankful for his service over the years. Thanks to Mike’s many years of hard work, our National Forestry Initiative is poised for great things.”
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.