Check out some of the most recent decisions made by the Turkeys for Tomorrow’s local leadership collective.

Conservation organizations have a clear and obvious directive — conserve the species they claim to save. No fluff. No deception. No politics. Just pure, unadulterated, boots-on-the-ground efforts to do what’s best for wildlife — whatever that takes.

With the swift emergence of Turkeys for Tomorrow (TFT), its leadership quickly realized that turkey hunters and enthusiasts all across this nation are excited about conserving America’s greatest game bird, and it’s seeing a resurgence in passion amongst many who’ve long felt unheard.

No longer. Now, turkey hunters have a clear and unobstructed route to make a difference. TFT’s “Fly Down Committee” has officially landed, and it’s quickly changing how thousands of turkey hunters throughout the nation contribute their concerns, ideas, and expertise.

Check out some of the most recent decisions made thanks to the all-new “Fly Down Committee.” Then, become an integral part of the conservation movement.

New “Fly Down Committee” to Be Granted Important Role in Organizational Brainstorming

TFT is excited to announce its all-new “Fly-Down Committee,” which will play an integral role in directional brainstorming for the organization. It gives local members the opportunity to provide important input.

“We’re really excited about the Fly Down Committee, which is comprised of flock members,” said Turkeys for Tomorrow CEO Jason Lupardus. “We have a few board members and staff that are part of that, but this came together this past year to help develop the future direction for TFT.”

“I think it’s important that we have the Fly Down Committee meetings because it gives the local flock leadership input into what we’re doing and how we’re doing it,” agreed Stacy Boland, a national board of directors member and flock leader in upstate South Carolina. “I think that the committee is a critical component of us keeping our flocks moving forward.

“I’m glad to see that we have a committee that sets aside that time for the local flocks to have a say in steering the national organization,” Boland continued. “This is a grassroots organization. We’ve said from the beginning that our hunters on the ground are citizen scientists, and our flock leaders are our connection to that.”

Local Groups to Be Called “Flocks”

All local groups of TFT volunteers are now called “flocks.” Moving forward, this is the correct phrasing for describing each important group within this significant grassroots effort. Like individual feather quills in a mighty gobbler, each “flock” plays its part in assembling this quickly emerging and far-reaching wild turkey conservation organization.

Of course, this new verbiage makes perfect sense, too. How TFT flocks operate isn’t all that different from how a real wild turkey flock thrives on the landscape.

“I think, if you look at it like a real wild turkey flock, they stay in a general area,” Boland said. “They feed into the grand population of all wild turkeys, but they’re mostly localized. That works well, because we want our local flocks to work locally, yet contribute to the greater effort. Of course, we’re all here for contributing to the greater effort, but we’re also more focused on our local flock dynamics. I think it’s the right terminology for what we’re doing and what we expect from our local flocks.”

Youth Members to Be Titled “Poult” Memberships

Members should be aware of recent flock membership changes, specifically the nomenclature with the “Junior” memberships being changed to “Poult” memberships, which are those who are 16 and under.

“It’s a good thing, and we are going to keep pushing for the same message,” Boland said. “But our nomenclature sets us apart. It’s unique. We are our own organization. But our focus hasn’t changed from the beginning, and we’ll continue bringing in the next generation to focus on conservation with us. This contributes to the mission of wild turkey conservation.”

Multi-Year Memberships Now Available for Interested TFT Members

Those desiring long-term signups will be excited to hear of this recent update. Now, the Team Turkey Membership is a three-year membership offering. Many people were asking for this, and TFT delivered.

“The fact that we’re being asked about multiple-year memberships shows a commitment from the people that are coming to us,” Boland said. “They’re not just here for one event, getting the one-year membership, and then leaving. Rather, they’re committed to being involved with this conservation effort long term.”

Predator Management Deemed a Crucial Focus of TFT

While this element of wild turkey conservation has been negligibly ignored by the conservation industry, TFT is officially deeming predator management a crucial focus. Without question, predator management is a significant portion of wild turkey conservation. Thus, TFT is placing it squarely at the forefront. After all, reducing predator populations to acceptable, healthy levels allows entire ecosystems of species to thrive.

“I like that we’re moving into the trapping arena, and that we’re supporting trapping efforts,” Boland said. “I think that predator and nest predator removal will be the tools we use most to move the needle in the short term. Obviously, nesting and brooding habitat works are important, but those changes take time. So, bringing predator populations back to carrying capacities will be a good step for us to make big moves and changes in turkey populations.”

20% of All Locally Generated Funds to Be Re-Invested Locally

Finally, wild turkey hunter-conservationists will be shocked, and excited, to learn that a conservation organization is dedicating 20% of all locally generated funds for re-investment back into each respective local landscape.

“We’re going to retain 20% of value from every event we do at the local level to be spent locally,” Lupardus said. “If that local event nets $50,000, we will retain $10,000 locally. They can spend this over a 2-year window on local projects. They can invest back into the community. You name it — anything that’s really focused on turkeys and turkey hunters.

“We’re proud to say that we’re trying to do something different, and we’re trying to really make this a true grassroots movement,” Lupardus continued. “We’re listening to the people at the local level on how we’re going to make a difference.”

Support TFT

Wild turkey populations are on the decline throughout the nation. Established in 2021, TFT is new to the landscape, but it’s driven by highly trained professionals with decades of conservation experience. To support TFT, and the complete body of wild turkey research and conservation it’s leading, become a member today. An Adult Annual Membership is $50, multi-year Team Turkey Membership is $250, and Life Membership is $2,500. Every dollar counts in the fight for wild turkey preservation.