NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In recognition of his efforts to introduce students to hunting and conservation, Fremont, Ohio, high school teacher Calvin Vander Boon received the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Educator of the Year Award.

“The recognition is very meaningful to me both as a recognition of my efforts and also because it has lent additional credibility to the Conservation and Outdoor Adventure Club,” Vander Boon said. “It only makes sense that those students in our school systems would be offered an outlet for their conservation and hunting interests … I don't think the award is about me; it is about what I am trying to accomplish.”

Vander Boon accepted the award at the 43rd annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show. Mossy Oak is the official convention sponsor.

An avid outdoorsman, Vander Boon always has made the effort to introduce his students to the world of hunting. He has helped many students learn to shoot a bow and even helped several harvest their first big game animal.

In the fall of 2018, he worked with fellow educators to start the school’s new Conservation and Outdoor Adventure Club — a club with a purpose of introducing hunting and conservation to the next generation of outdoorsmen and women, while cultivating their outdoor interest into a lifelong passion. The club already has nearly 50 members and further growth is expected. Vander Boon’s hope is the club can provide local conservation and recreational opportunities and serve as a connection to conservation organizations like the NWTF.

“Calvin is making a positive impact in his community by offering students the opportunity to learn more about outdoor activities and wildlife conservation,” NWTF CEO Becky Humphries said. “It is our pleasure to recognize his efforts, and we hope the grant money he has earned can help him continue to reach future outdoorsmen and women.”

About the National Wild Turkey Federation
When the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in 1973, there were about 1.3 million wild turkeys in North America. After decades of work, that number hit a historic high of almost 7 million turkeys. To succeed, the NWTF stood behind science-based conservation and hunters’ rights. The NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative is a charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to raise $1.2 billion to conserve and enhance more than 4 million acres of essential wildlife habitat, recruit at least 1.5 million hunters and open access to 500,000 acres for hunting. For more information, visit NWTF.org

National Wild Turkey Federation
770 Augusta Rd., Edgefield, SC 29824