NASHVILLE, Tenn. — National Wild Turkey Federation chapters in Florida received L.A. Dixon Memorial Chapter Awards during the NWTF’s 33rd annual National Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, Tenn.
The L.A. Dixon awards are given to local, state and provincial chapters that excel at conservation fund raising, education and outreach events year-round. The following chapters from Florida earned L.A. Dixon Outstanding Chapter Awards for their excellent work in 2008.
• The Wekiva Springs Strutters Chapter, headquartered in Apopka, Fla., was recognized by the NWTF for winning the First Place in Total Membership Achievement,, First Place in the Total Sponsor Membership Achievement, First Place in Greatest Net Income and First Place in "Best of the Best" Local Banquet Award.
• The Sumter County Longbeards Chapter, headquartered in Bushnell, Fla., was recognized by the NWTF for winning Second Place in the Local Best of the Best category.
• The Florida State Chapter, headquartered in Tallahassee, Fla., was recognized by the NWTF for winning Third Place in the Best State Chapter with Over 20,000 Members category.
The L.A. Dixon Memorial awards are given in honor of a man who gave unselfishly during the NWTF’s early years. Dixon founded the North Carolina State NWTF chapter, served at the national, state and local levels and traveled thousands of miles at his own expense carrying the NWTF’s message to all who would listen. The NWTF honors Dixon’s achievements through the L.A. Dixon Memorial Chapter Awards.
“The NWTF has the world’s best volunteers and chapter without a doubt,” said George Thornton, NWTF CEO. “Without their hard work and dedication, the NWTF and its partners couldn’t have invested more than $286 million to enhance habitat for wild turkeys and other wildlife, improved opportunities and access to hunting land or introduced youth, women and people with disabilities to the outdoors.
We’re proud to honor our chapters with the L.A. Dixon Outstanding Chapter Awards to commemorate their exceptional performances.”
Last year, NWTF chapters hosted 2,350 Hunting Heritage Super Fund banquets to raise funds for the NWTF’s conservation and outreach initiatives.
2009 Convention Sponsors
Bank of America, Bass Pro Shops, Browning, Call Makers and Collectors Association of America, Chevrolet, Crescent Cardboard Co., LLC, Federal Premium Ammunition, Foxy Huntress, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Knight Rifles, Leupold & Stevens, Longleaf Camo, Marlin Firearm/H&R 1871 LLC, Mathews Bows, Inc., MeadWestvaco, Motorola, Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, National Band and Tag, O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., Outdoor Channel, The Outdoor Connection, Inc., Remington Arms Company, Inc., S.C. State Chapter, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Tennessee State Chapter, The Sportsman Channel, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Weatherby, Inc., Weyerhaeuser, Wild Turkey Bourbon and Winchester Olin.
About the NWTF: In 1973, Tom Rodgers founded the National Wild Turkey Federation in Fredericksburg, Va., as a national
501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization with a mission dedicated to conserving wild turkeys and preserving hunting traditions. Shortly thereafter, Rodgers relocated the NWTF to Edgefield, S.C., where it's still headquartered today.
At the time NWTF was established, there were only 1.3 million wild turkeys. Today that number stands at more than seven million birds throughout North America, thanks to the efforts of state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members and partners.
Growth and progress define the NWTF as it has expanded from 1,300 members in 1973 to nearly a half million today. With that growth has come impressive strides in wildlife management as the NWTF has forged dynamic partnerships across the country to further its conservation mission. Together, the NWTF's partners, sponsors and grassroots members have raised and spent more than $286 million upholding hunting traditions and conserving nearly 14 million acres of wildlife habitat.
While wild turkey restoration is nearing completion, the NWTF still has much work to do. Across North America, supporters are working to enhance habitat for wild turkeys and other wildlife while providing hunters with more opportunities and access to public and private land. In addition, NWTF volunteers and partners are introducing youth, women and people with disabilities to the outdoors through special educational events.
If you would like to become a member of Team NWTF, join a committee or start a chapter, please visit our Web site at
www.nwtf.org <
http://www.nwtf.org/> or call us at 800-THE-NWTF.
NWTF News