NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Gib Rhodes has a passion for introducing youth to hunting and conservation of the wild turkey, thereby preserving our hunting heritage. For his dedication to the National Wild Turkey Federation's mission, Rhodes earned a national award.
Rhodes, a retired elementary school teacher from Madison, Kansas received one of five Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Awards at the 41st annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show in Nashville.
"I'm humbled by this honor," Rhodes said. "I'm so lucky to have such a great chapter to help with all the events we do each year."
Roger M. Latham Sportsman Wild Turkey Service Awards are given to NWTF members who are not employed as professional wildlife managers, but have made significant contributions to wild turkey conservation.
The NWTF determined this year's award winners based on how their work strengthens the Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative. Rhodes has given enormous amounts of time and energy to organize award-winning JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) and Women in the Outdoors events and guide his chapter to national awards as well. He has been a volunteer since he first attended an NWTF banquet in 2004.
"Dedicated volunteers, like Gib are the backbone of what we do," said George Thornton, NWTF CEO. "Carrying our mission forward to future generations is what Gib does every day."
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.
For more information, contact Pete Muller at (803) 637-7698
