NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) honored Thomas Rhoden of Flowood, Miss., with the Wild Turkey Woodlands National Award for implementing quality land management practices, supporting his community and his outstanding NWTF chapter involvement.
The award was presented at the NWTF 34th annual National Convention and Sport Show, which is sponsored by MidwayUSA, and takes place Feb. 18 to Feb. 21 in Nashville, Tenn.
The Wild Turkey Woodlands National Award recognizes committed landowners who meet the needs of wildlife on their land, help promote the NWTF’s mission and are involved in their community, while publicly encouraging conservation.
Rhoden manages his farm to provide quality habitat for wild turkeys and other wildlife. He is restoring native longleaf pine to a 75-acre parcel through the Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Parks’ landowner incentive program and plans to restore longleaf pine on all remaining suitable areas of his property in the next few years. Longleaf pine supports a wide variety of wildlife and is better adapted than other pine species planted previously. He also maintains more than 30 wildlife openings to produce supplemental forage for wildlife year round, and has utilized the NWTF’s Operation Oak program to improve hardwood stands with new seedling plantings to further enhance food and habitat for wildlife in the future.
In addition to his dedication to wildlife, Rhoden is a sponsor member of the Greater Jackson Chapter of the NWTF and is very involved with their annual Mississippi Wheelin’ Sportsmen Youth Deer Hunt. He serves on the committee, provides financial contributions and hosts four to six youth hunters from the Magnolia Speech School on his property.
"Tom goes out of his way to accommodate the children and their families during the hunt," Joe Wood, NWTF Mississippi regional director, said. "He provides them a comfortable place to rest and relax and even serves homemade barbecue and smoked turkey meals for his special guests.
Rhoden has hosted two Wild Turkey Woodlands Field Days on his property to educate area landowners about the benefits of the Wild Turkey Woodlands program. Rhoden is also a tireless advocate for NWTF conservation and outreach programs. The Mississippi Chapter of NWTF has recognized Rhoden as an Outstanding Land Steward at their annual awards banquet in Feb. 2008.
"Tom’s habitat work and support of his local community is a perfect example of what the NWTF and Wild Turkey Woodlands program promote," said Joe Koloski, USDA Forest Service natural resource specialist. "The Wild Turkey Woodlands award highlights people around the country who practice sound land management and preserve places for wildlife and future generations to enjoy."
To learn more about the NWTF National Convention and Sport Show, click here or call (800) THE-NWTF.
2010 Convention Sponsors:
Affinity4, ATK/Federal Premium Ammunition, Bank of America, Bass Pro Shops, Benelli, Browning, Call Makers and Collectors Association of America, CamoFX, Chevrolet, Farm Service Agency, Foxy Huntress, Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, HuntVe, Knight Rifles, Leupold & Stevens, Marlin Firearms Company, MeadWestvaco, MidwayUSA, Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, National Band & Tag Co., O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., Mossy Oak and The Pursuit Channel, The Outdoor Connection, Remington Arms Company, Inc., SHE Outdoor Apparel, TriStar Sporting Arms, USDA Forest Service, Weatherby, Inc., Wild Turkey Bourbon, Winchester Division/Olin Corp.
About the NWTF: The National Wild Turkey Federation is a nonprofit conservation organization that works daily to further its mission of conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.
Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its more than 350,000 members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $306 million to conserve 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.
The Federation works to increase interest in the outdoors by bringing new hunters and conservationists into the fold through outdoor education events and its outreach programs – Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin’ Sportsmen, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES.
The NWTF was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Edgefield, S.C. According to many state and federal agencies, the comeback of the wild turkey is arguably the greatest conservation success story in North America’s wildlife history.
Visit www.nwtf.org or call (800) THE-NWTF for details.
