Friday, February 24, 2017

Conservation Efforts Recognized by NWTF and NRCS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Galon Hall and Barb McWhorter recently accepted Making Tracks with the Natural Resources Conservation Service Awards at the 41st annual National Wild Turkey Federation Convention and Sport Show in Nashville.

The award recognizes people or projects that best incorporate conservation education, partnerships and wild turkey management to support the NWTF's Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative.

Hall is responsible for overseeing the NRCS's Working Lands for Wildlife Program. The NRCS, with its partners have restored and protected over 6.7 million acres of habitat since 2012. He is currently involved with projects including the golden-winged warbler efforts, New England cottontail habitat restoration and gopher tortoise restoration in the Southeast.

McWhorter, West Virginia state forester with the NRCS, played a key support role in the NWTF's landscape-level Golden Wing Warbler Initiative and was instrumental in the development of the proposal for forest enhancements. In addition, McWhorter has mentored the new coordinator for the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Project with the NWTF, easing his establishment in the NRCS office.

"Our relationship with the NRCS is incredibly important in our efforts to Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.," said George Thornton, NWTF CEO. "We are truly appreciative of Galon and Barb, as they are leading the charge to conserve or enhance acreage that is important to wild turkey and numerous other species of wildlife."

About Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.
The NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative is a charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to give the NWTF more energy and purpose than ever. Through this national initiative, NWTF has committed to raising $1.2 billion to conserve or enhance more than 4 million acres of essential upland wildlife habitat, recruit or reactivate at least 1.5 million hunters and open access to 500,000 acres for hunting, shooting and outdoor enjoyment. Without hunters, there will be no wildlife or habitat. The NWTF is determined to Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.