EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation joined conservation partners in celebrating the grand opening of the National Conservation Legacy Center on July 17, a milestone that honors the people, partnerships and history that have shaped conservation across America’s national forest lands.
The NWTF proudly supported the construction of the museum via the National Museum of Forest Service History’s Capital Campaign. Today, that investment is reflected in a world-class museum that tells the story of collaborative conservation and inspires future generations to care for America’s forests, wildlife and outdoor heritage.
Located in Missoula, the National Conservation Legacy Center showcases the history of the USDA Forest Service and its partners through immersive exhibits, educational programming and interactive experiences. Visitors are invited to explore the people, ideas and partnerships that have guided conservation in the United States, inspired by Gifford Pinchot’s enduring principle of providing “the greatest good for the greatest amount of people in the long run.”
Among the museum’s featured exhibits is “Conservation Through Partners,” which highlights the vital role organizations like the NWTF have played in restoring wildlife habitat and improving the health of America’s forests alongside the Forest Service and other conservation partners.
“The National Museum of Forest Service History is thrilled that the National Wild Turkey Federation is a significant story in our ‘Conservation through Partners’ exhibit,” said Lisa Tate, executive director of the National Museum of Forest Service History. “The Forest Service and the NWTF work on an expansive, landscape-scale effort to address forest resilience, wild turkey habitat enhancement and watershed health.”
For decades, the NWTF and the Forest Service have worked side by side to restore forest health, reduce wildfire risk, improve wildlife habitat and strengthen watersheds across the country. Their partnership demonstrates how shared stewardship brings together federal agencies, conservation organizations, private landowners and local communities to accomplish work on a scale that no single organization could achieve alone.
“Conservation has always been a team effort,” said NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff. “The National Conservation Legacy Center tells the story of how lasting partnerships have shaped our nation’s forests and wildlife, and we’re honored that the NWTF’s work alongside the U.S. Forest Service is part of that story. Together, we’ve restored millions of acres of habitat and created healthier landscapes that benefit wild turkeys, countless other wildlife species and the people who enjoy these public lands.”
That collaborative approach is embodied in the National Master Stewardship Agreement, a landmark 20-year agreement signed by the NWTF and the Forest Service in 2022. The agreement provides a framework for accelerating forest restoration and habitat conservation through shared stewardship, allowing the organizations to leverage resources, expand partnerships and complete critical conservation work more efficiently across national forests and grasslands.
Since first partnering in the 1980s, the NWTF and Forest Service have completed thousands of projects that improve wildlife habitat while addressing today’s greatest conservation challenges, including catastrophic wildfire, declining forest health and watershed resilience. Through the National Master Stewardship Agreement, those efforts continue to grow, helping ensure forests remain healthy, productive and accessible for future generations.
The National Conservation Legacy Center now serves as a permanent reminder that successful conservation depends on collaboration. By preserving these stories and showcasing the impact of partnerships, the museum celebrates the shared commitment that continues to shape the future of America’s forests and wildlife.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 25 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. Since 2022, the NWTF has also invested over $2.3 million in critical wild turkey research that, when leveraged with partner contributions, has resulted in more than $22 million to guide the management of the wild turkey and to ensure sustainable populations. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale to create healthy forests and wildlife habitats, clean and abundant water, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF is committed to creating a nation united by the life-changing power of the outdoors.
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