HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 66

COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION.

WHEREAS, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Inc. was incorporated on March 28, 1973, in Fredericksburg, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, for 50 years, the National Wild Turkey Federation and millions of members and chapters across the nation, including the Delaware state chapter, have promoted the conservation of wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage, culminating in one of the greatest conservation success stories in American history — the return of the wild turkey from the brink of extinction; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware State chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation has been active as early as 1984 and consists of three local chapters, each operating in individual counties; and

WHEREAS, the DENWTF in recent years has focused conservation efforts on the Cedar Swamp Wildlife Management Area, partnering with the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife and helping fund habitat management projects that benefit not only wild turkeys but also species such as bobwhite quail; and

WHEREAS, the DENWTF has also been working with energy providers within the state by providing conservation-centric best management practices for Right-of-Way management; and

WHEREAS, youth field days promoting hunter education and outdoor recreation occur annually and are hosted by local chapters around the state; and

WHEREAS, the National Wild Turkey Federation, its members, and chapters have been at the vanguard of reversing declining hunting participation through nationwide investment in hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation efforts; and

WHEREAS, the National Wild Turkey Federation and its affiliates, including the DENWTF, have invested more than half a billion dollars to conserve or enhance more than 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat, forests, and grasslands across public and private lands since 1985; and

WHEREAS, the National Wild Turkey Federation is the largest and longest-serving nongovernmental stewardship partner of the USDA Forest Service, conserving habitat on National Forest System Lands for more than 40 years and heavily engaged in the development and implementation of the USDA’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, we recognize and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Wild Turkey Federation and salute the organization, its chapters, and members from across Delaware for their tremendous efforts to further scientific, state-led wildlife management and the conservation of America’s wild turkey and its habitat.

SYNOPSIS

This Resolution recognizes and commemorates the 50th anniversary of the National Wild Turkey Federation and acknowledges its significant contributions to wildlife management, habitat conservation, and outdoor traditions in the State of Delaware.