EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Before Vermont’s spring turkey season, state and national conservation partners celebrated the successful reintroduction of the wild turkey in the Green Mountain State. Representatives from the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the Town of Pawlet unveiled a wildlife conservation marker at the West Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department recognizing the 1969 reintroduction of wild turkeys to the state.
“The reintroduction of the wild turkey to the Northeastern states has long been considered one of the greatest conservation success stories of all time, and that certainly applies to the state of Vermont,” said Carter Heath, NWTF regional director for New England. “The partnership between Vermont Fish and Wildlife and the National Wild Turkey Federation has not only been very important for the conservation of the wild turkey but has given Vermont turkey hunters the ability to enjoy the resource as well. NWTF volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization, whether it’s through fundraising or boots-on-the-ground efforts. With 50 years or partnership in Vermont under our belt, I am excited to see where the next 50 takes us!”
The National Shooting Sports Foundation initiated the effort to commemorate the restoration of the wild turkey at the site of the original reintroduction, highlighting how strong partnerships among state and federal agencies, volunteers, NGOs and landowners in the local community can lead to a statewide conservation success.
“The event was so well attended, and it really surprised all the organizers,” said Toni Mikula, VDFW wildlife biologist. “Initially we were imagining a small ceremony with maybe five dignitaries and a couple of pictures, and we had over 200 attendees. Most of the local legislators were there, and it was incredible to see how many people wanted to come and acknowledge this conservation success story and be part of it.”
