Policy at Convention
The NWTF Convention and Sport Show is best known for the excitement and energy surrounding the recognition of our chapters, volunteers and many partners for all of the great work they do on behalf of the wild turkey and our outdoor heritage; the concerts, dinners, camaraderie and fundraising; the Sport Show with hundreds of vendors and crowds of thousands of hunters checking out the latest in turkey hunting gear, guns, ammo and calls; packed seminars by turkey hunting’s legends; and the Grand National Calling Championships where the best of the best go beak to beak in the Super Bowl of turkey calling. Where does NWTF government affairs and our policy work fit into this show to beat all shows? You might be surprised!
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee got a taste of the wild turkey and saw first-hand the NWTF’s impact on Nashville when the flock gathers there. This year, he officially opened the Sport Show Thursday morning to a mass of eagerly awaiting convention goers.
NWTF staff and government and industry partners met at the convention to share our successes and challenges from the past year and the outlook for the coming year. This year, partners met in a number of venues to talk about the future of forest restoration and habitat management as part of the concurrently occurring Conservation Conference.
The Conservation Conference, its seminars and most meetings are open to all members of the NWTF, and it’s a great place to learn about the behind-the-scenes work happening to ensure the future of the wild turkey and our hunting heritage. From science and research to education and outreach to state and federal legislative affairs, these meetings and seminars reinforce your passion as a volunteer by hearing why we do what we do, and how we are making an impact together.
The convention is also a time for staff and volunteers to share what’s going on in their states and in Washington, DC, and the impacts to our way of life and the bird we’re so dedicated to. For instance, Matt Lindler, NWTF government affairs director, and Patt Dorsey, director of conservation operations for the West, presented a seminar on how the NWTF’s legislative policy work is integral to wild turkey and habitat management and discussed the processes and strategies for our state and federal policy work.
This year, we recognized Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow as our Government Partner of the Year. Stabenow has a lifelong passion for natural resources management and has led and championed many federal laws that help families and our government partners improve habitat on forests and fields across the U.S.
NWTF staff and our policy partners at the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation discussed ongoing work on the Farm Bill, the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act and other legislation related to our mission during sessions with NWTF state chapter leadership, partners and industry leaders.
Throughout the week, NWTF staff and volunteers recommitted to another record-setting year for the wild turkey and our hunting heritage, and the NWTF state and federal government affairs team is committed to doing all we can to support our state and federal agency partners and our members across the nation as we work to protect the mission we’re all so passionate about.