National Association of Conservation Districts

2008 NWTF Conservation District
Partner of the Year Award

NACD 2008 Annual Meeting • February 10 - 13, 2008 • Reno, NV

The National Wild Turkey Federation established the NWTF Conservation District Partner of the Year Award in 2008 to recognize an outstanding Conservation District Partner that has joined with an NWTF local chapter(s) to increase public awareness of conservation and wildlife management issues, put wildlife habitat management on the ground, and improve hunting opportunities.

The Coarsegold Resource Conservation District of North Fork, California was selected as the 2008 winner and the first recipient of the now annual award.

Coarsegold RCD has a long history of partnering with the NWTF on projects ranging from trail installation to large scale habitat grants.  The following is a sample of recent collaboration:

• NWTF is invited to and attends monthly Coarsegold meetings to participate in project proposals and long term objectives;
• Since 1992, Coarsegold has recognized the wild turkey as a species of special interest in their planning and frequently requests the NWTF to review and make comments on project proposals;
• Conservation plans on 249 ranches (over 32,000 acres) have included wild turkey roosting areas, escape and nesting cover as priorities;
• Recent collaboration with the NWTF and others has yielded $1.2 million for habitat management (brush control, water availability, etc.) that will directly impact wild turkey habitat.  This is in addition to $1.8 million (impacting 1,800 acres) that has been received in the past for management practices;
• Coarsegold, the NWTF and others are currently partnering on a $400,000 grant that will impact watershed issues on the Upper Fresno River drainage;
• Coarsegold assisted in the release of 30 turkeys last year at the Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area.  An increase in turkey numbers have since been noted for that area; and
• Installation of a one mile long wheel-chair accessible handicap hunting trail on Kinsman Flat Wildlife Area.