Arizona Senate Honors NWTF’s 50-Year Commitment to Conservation

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — On June 12, the Arizona Senate recognized the National Wild Turkey Federation for its 50th Anniversary, commending the organization for its achievements in conservation and successful mission delivery throughout the state.

The Arizona Senate read the proclamation, congratulating the NWTF on five decades of conservation commitment, during its session at the Arizona State Senate office. Members of the NWTF Arizona State Chapter’s board of directors attended the reading to express their support for the proclamation.

“The National Wild Turkey Federation and the Arizona State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation are grateful for the recognition of 50 years of partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and everything that we have accomplished together for the wild turkey and conservation in this state,” said Roy Crain, NWTF Arizona State Chapter president.

The resolution reads:

“… WHEREAS, the National Wild Turkey Federation has spent over $750,000 to aid in the reintroduction and continuing research of the Gould’s turkey in Arizona; and

WHEREAS, the National Wild Turkey Federation spends annually over $50,000 on conservation and research in Arizona; and

WHEREAS, the National Wild Turkey Federation has spent over $50,000 on scholarships in Arizona, and over $5,500,000 on scholarships nationally; and

WHEREAS, the National Wild Turkey Federation supports and partners with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to conserve wildlife habitat, increase hunter participation and invest in wild turkey research; and

WHEREAS, the National Wild Turkey Federation, at the national level, has achieved all of these aforementioned accomplishments, the chapter system in Arizona, much like the Arizona Game and Fish Department that we frequently partner with, has established itself as a national leader amongst its peers …”

Through the investments made over the years for Arizona’s Gould’s turkey, the NWTF has aided the Arizona Game and Fish Department in trapping and translocating Gould’s turkey from Mexico to various mountain ranges across the state between 2002 and 2006. Since March 2006, all Gould’s turkey trapping and translocations have taken place within Arizona.

“We are looking forward to many more decades of partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the state of Arizona,” Crain said.

The NWTF policy team and its volunteer leadership are working with state legislatures across the country to pass similar measures this year that enshrine the NWTF’s legacy and mission delivery into state law.

Learn more about the NWTF’s policy and advocacy work.

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 conserved or enhanced over 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to drive wildlife conservation, forest resiliency and robust recreational opportunities throughout the U.S. by working across boundaries on a landscape scale.

2023 is the NWTF’s 50 th Anniversary and an opportunity to propel the organization’s mission into the future while honoring its rich history. For its 50th Anniversary, the NWTF has set six ambitious goals: positively impact 1 million acres of wildlife habitat; raise $500,000 for wild turkey research; increase membership to 250,000 members; dedicate $1 million to education and outreach programs; raise $5 million to invest in technology and NWTF’s people; and raise $5 million to build toward a $50 million endowment for the future.  Learn how you can help us reach these lofty goals.