Humphries Appointed as NWTF Executive VP of Conservation
National Wild Turkey Federation 09.19.13
Becky Humphries joins the National Wild Turkey Federation as the Executive Vice President of Conservation.
Humphries, a respected expert in wildlife and habitat conservation, will oversee the NWTF’s conservation efforts and its expanding team of wildlife biologists. With more than 35 years of experience, she has a proven record of tackling tough natural resource issues and building strong partnerships among wildlife managers, conservation organizations, academia and private partners.
Most recently, Humphries served as the Director of Operations in Great Lakes/Atlantic Region for Ducks Unlimited, focusing on conservation delivery, policy and science. She previously served the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment for 32 years, including seven years as department director.
“I am thrilled to join one of America’s premier conservation organizations,” said Humphries. “It is an exciting opportunity to work with a group that understands and focuses on the inseparable connections between wildlife habitat, hunters and conservation funding.”
Humphries joins the NWTF as the organization embarks on its Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative. This initiative is focused on addressing the decline of wild turkey populations, the degradation of wildlife habitat in general and the loss of hunters. Humphries’ leadership will be integral to achieving the initiative’s goals to conserve and enhance 4 million acres of critical upland wildlife habitat, create 1.5 million new hunters and establish 500,000 additional acres of public hunting access.
She will also play a leadership role in the establishment of the NWTF’s new Hunting Heritage and Outdoor Education Center, a 700-acre area that will become a destination for outdoor education and the shooting sports.
“I am proud of the amazing accomplishments the NWTF has achieved during my three decades of service,” said NWTF Chief Conservation Officer James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D. “I’m excited about the NWTF’s future as Becky leads our conservation efforts on the Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative as we strive to protect our way of life for future generations.”
The National Wild Turkey Federation is the leader in upland wildlife habitat conservation in North America. The NWTF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage.
Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations throughout North America, spending more than $331 million to conserve nearly 16 million acres of habitat. Wild turkeys and hundreds of other species of upland wildlife, including quail, deer, grouse, pheasant and songbirds, benefit from this improved habitat.
The NWTF also brings new conservationists and hunters into the fold through outdoor education events and its Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin' Sportsmen, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES youth outreach programs. Our dedicated NWTF volunteers introduce about 100,000 people to the outdoors through these programs every year.
Founded in 1973, the NWTF is headquartered in Edgefield, S.C., and has local chapters in every state and Canada. According to many state and federal agencies, the restoration of the wild turkey is arguably the greatest conservation success story in North America's wildlife history.
