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NWTF Success Stories

NWTF’s Humphries Recognized for Commitment to Conservation

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — During the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies September meetings in Fort Worth, Texas, National Wild Turkey Federation co-CEO Becky Humphries received AFWA’s Special Recognition Award for her 40-plus years of outstanding commitment to conservation and the work of AFWA.

September 23, 20222 min read
humphries and colleagues at award ceremony
Photo courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2022, Chase A. Fountain — (left to right) Chuck Sykes, Director of Alabama Division of Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries; Tony Wasley, AFWA President and Nevada Director of the Department of Wildlife; Becky Humphries, co-CEO of the National Wild Turkey Federation; and, Mark Tisa, Director of Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife

“I am honored to be recognized by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies,” Humphries said. “I am proud to have worked with AFWA as a wildlife professional in several capacities: Wildlife Division chief and director with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and as chief conservation officer and CEO with NWTF. These state agencies truly are tremendous partners with NWTF.”

Humphries began her career in conservation with the Michigan DNR in 1978 and continued to progress through the ranks to become director of the MDNR in 2004. While serving as director of her state’s wildlife agency, Humphries also served on the executive committee of AFWA. She also worked on several other committees, including as chair of the Wildlife Health Committee.

After working in state government, Humphries ventured to another side of conservation by serving in leadership positions with Ducks Unlimited and the NWTF. She began her tenure with the NWTF as its chief conservation officer and has represented the accomplished wildlife conservation organization as CEO since 2017.

She was active with the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and has continued her active engagement with these and other professional associations during her successful time in the nonprofit sector.

AFWA has previously recognized Humphries’ conservation work by presenting her the Seth Gordon Award in 2011 and the Ernest Thompson Seton Award in 2007. The Seth Gordon Award is the highest honor presented by the association and the Ernest Thompson Seton Award honors an agency and team leader for leadership in scientific management.  

To learn more about AFWA or for a list of past recipients of the Special Recognition Award, visit fishwildlife.org.

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. Today, the NWTF is investing heavily in wild turkey research to ensure the future of wild turkey populations and is working to secure Healthy Habitats and Healthy Harvests.

Photo courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department © 2022, Chase A. Fountain — (left to right) Chuck Sykes, Director of Alabama Division of Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries; Tony Wasley, AFWA President and Nevada Director of the Department of Wildlife; Becky Humphries, co-CEO of the National Wild Turkey Federation; and, Mark Tisa, Director of Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife

Filed Under:
  • Healthy Habitats
  • Healthy Harvests
  • Land Management
  • Wildlife Management