Seattle-area NWTF Chapter Wins Award For Cedar River Cleanup Work

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION

The NWTF South Sound Strutters Chapter, based in western Washington State, was awarded the NWTF Conservation Field Day Award for the chapter’s Cedar River Cleanup Event. Representatives from the chapter accepted the award at the NWTF’s 49th annual Convention and Sport Show, sponsored by Mossy Oak.

“We’re pretty excited about winning,” said Michelle McDonald, South Sound Strutters Chapter member. “As a chapter out here on the West Coast, it’s hard to do conservation work, because we’re in a more urban setting. We’re slowly getting more people from the hunting community out there, which is nice that everyone wants to give back. We’re really excited to represent thinking outside of the box and doing something different.”

This event has been held for the past six years, and the South Sound Strutter has actively participated for the last three years.

The chapter’s Cedar River Cleanup Event, which had 67 total participants, partnered with The Young Guides Podcast and other partners to foster collaboration between hunters and anglers, enhancing urban fisheries in the area. With more areas becoming urbanized, cleanup events like this are critical to conserving the beauty of the natural spaces that remain.

Volunteers spent their mornings removing debris from the river, and in the afternoon, they celebrated with a free lunch and a chance to enter free raffles. The event also promoted upcoming NWTF activities. Following the event, the chapter hosted an online seminar on fall turkey hunting, providing an opportunity for anyone interested in the topic to expand their knowledge.

“There are so many ways to bring in new audiences to the NWTF mission, and the South Sound Strutters did an excellent job showing the connection between clean and healthy natural spaces with the NWTF mission,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “We are excited to see our local chapters getting their hands dirty, taking initiative and fostering a community of conservation.”