Warmath Recognized with National Conservation Award
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Mark Warmath received recognition from the National Wild Turkey Federation as one of the recipients of the Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Awards for his extraordinary dedication to the organization. This award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the NWTF by volunteering their time and energy to the organization’s mission. Warmath received the award during the NWTF’s 49th annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak.
Warmath has gone above and beyond for years, pioneering Tennessee’s NWTF North Central Chapter, one of the state’s most successful. He served as president of the chapter for eight consecutive years, until he stepped down to allow for new ideas to come into the chapter. He was also selected to be on the Tennessee NWTF State Chapter Board of Directors in 1993, where he was the vice president from 1998 to 2001 and president in 2002.
“It was a total shock and surprise,” Warmath said about winning the award. “It did bring a tear to my eye. I never thought I would win something like this. It’s a pretty cool award, but I’m not sure if I’m worthy of it. My family has grown up with turkey hunting and has always been around it. It’s just what we do, and we’ve had a blast doing it, so when you think about winning an award for it, it’s pretty special because you really weren’t out trying to win an award, you’re just doing what you love, and having fun doing it.”
Warmath is recognized for over 20 years of organizing the NWTF Duck and Goose Call contest, which raises tens of thousands of dollars for the NWTF. He does this all on his own time. In 2016, he won the Rare Breed Award for his dedication.
“Be it through custom callmaking contests to serving his state and local chapters, Mark has provided years of innovative leadership to move the needle for the NWTF’s mission,” NWTF co-CEO Jason Burckhalter said. “Mark’s passion for the NWTF can be seen in his decades of service to our great organization. We are proud to honor Mark for his volunteerism for the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage.”
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.