NWTF Joins Coalition of Partners in Signing MOU Advancing Conservation and Hunting Heritage
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation joined the USDA Forest Service and the Boone and Crockett Club in signing a memorandum of understanding highlighting the importance of sustaining outdoor recreation opportunities, with a particular emphasis on public access for hunting, angling, wildlife conservation, habitat stewardship and conservation education.
“As the Forest Service’s partner for over 40 years, the National Wild Turkey Federation has a proven track record of turning collaboration into on‑the‑ground success,” said NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff. “This new cooperative of the Forest Service and the nation’s largest hunting conservation organizations ensures access for sportsmen and women is not only a high priority in Forest Service decision making, but they are also active partners in restoring healthy habitats and maintaining access for hunting and outdoor recreation.”
In addition, 13 other organizations participated in the signing and are recognized as collaborating partners to support the implementation of the MOU. Under the framework, the Boone and Crockett Club will convene with these partners to identify, develop and implement opportunities to enhance recreational access on public lands.
“We appreciate the attention of Chief Schultz and the Forest Service, along with our partner conservation organizations, on the challenge of recreational access on public lands for hunting,” said Boone and Crockett Club CEO Tony Schoonen. “Enhanced recreation and access opportunities can help increase awareness and engagement on forest health issues and build support for increased funding for access and conservation on national forests. We look forward to collaborating through this MOU to enhance access to the National Forest System lands for hunters, anglers and recreational shooters.”
The National Forest System and Forest Service were shaped by the vision of President Theodore Roosevelt, who founded the Boone and Crockett Club in 1887, and the agency’s first chief, Gifford Pinchot, who was also a member of the club.
The conservation and management of 193 million acres of forests and grasslands across the United States allows for significant recreational use by the public.
In addition to the NWTF, the Forest Service and the Boone and Crockett Club, other participating organizations include: America Outdoors Association, Archery Trade Association, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Wildlife Federation, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, Professional Outfitters and Guides of America, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and Wild Sheep Foundation.
Partners will work together in the coming months to evaluate opportunities, resources, research and other needs that will support efforts or projects to enhance recreational access.
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 continues to unite a nation through the life-changing power of the outdoors.