NWTF and NRCS Recognize Programs and Events with National Conservation Awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Representatives of the Larimer Conservation District and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service accepted National Wild Turkey Federation NRCS Making Tracks Awards during the NWTF’s 48th annual Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak.
The Making Tracks with the NRCS awards recognize people or projects that best incorporate conservation education, partnerships and wild turkey management to support the NWTF’s conservation delivery.
The NWTF awarded two NRCS Making Tracks Awards, the Conservation and Education Award and the Habitat Management Program Award.
The Habitat Management Award was presented to the Larimer Conservation District. The organization works hand in hand with forest landowners to assist in applying for Farm Bill programs, writing site-specific conservation and forest management plans and finding suitable contractors to implement the forest restoration vision. They work alongside local, state and federal partners to ensure resources are lined up in the most timely and ecologically appropriate manner and can take a hands-on approach in full project management from beginning to end. Two featured private land projects that took place near Estes Park, Colorado, have unfolded over 5-7 years from start to finish. Gretchen Reuning and Matt Marshall, who were involved in every aspect of these projects, accepted the award.
The Conservation and Education Award was presented to NRCS employees Jonas Feinstein and Frank Falzon for their work coordinating the western joint training session, Ecological and Functional Based Forestry. The event brought together NWTF, NRCS, USDA Forest Service, Colorado conservation districts and several other partner organizations for three days of establishing connections, learning and collaborating.
The training included topics and discussions such as: a systematic and consistent framework for forest conservation planning; how to adaptively manage and monitor for ecologically complex objectives; adaptive silviculture for climate change; western wildfire and water issues; and updates from regional foresters.
“The wild turkey does not know boundaries and neither should our conservation impact,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “Our partnership with the NRCS is critical to increasing our impact on private lands, and it’s the people and programs across the country that are making an impact. We are proud to recognize exceptional work with our NRCS Making Tracks Awards.”
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 23 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $9 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.