EDGEFIELD, S.C. — When the newest class of California wildlife officers stepped forward to receive their badges, they carried with them more than the accomplishment of completing 1,254 hours of demanding training. They carried the responsibility of becoming the next generation of conservation professionals tasked with protecting the state’s wildlife, natural resources and outdoor traditions.
Among the many symbols of that transition was a handcrafted turkey call presented by the National Wild Turkey Federation — a recognition for one graduate whose strength was not measured in time spent afield, but in the ability to capture the details that make conservation work possible.
Each year, the NWTF recognizes the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s top report writer during the Game Warden Graduation Ceremony, highlighting a skill that often happens behind the scenes but plays an essential role in wildlife conservation.
“Strong report writing requires more than simply documenting what happened,” said Krista Modlin, NWTF district biologist for California, Oregon, Washington and Nevada. “It requires an officer to clearly communicate the details, observations and evidence that can help move an investigation forward. That attention to detail can have a lasting impact on wildlife law enforcement and conservation.”
For the 2026 graduating class, Nathan Chavez received the Top Report Writer Award in recognition of excellence in this important skill and was presented with a handcrafted box call from the NWTF.
While the call serves as a connection to the organization’s mission of conserving wild turkeys and preserving hunting heritage, the award itself represents something much broader — the many different skills and disciplines required to support successful conservation.
Wildlife officers are often among the most visible representatives of conservation in the field. Their work requires knowledge of wildlife management, public service, communication, problem-solving and attention to detail. Whether educating the public, assisting with wildlife management efforts or helping ensure regulations are understood and followed, they play an important role in maintaining the balance between people, wildlife and the landscapes they share.
“The work these officers do today helps protect the opportunities that future generations will have tomorrow,” Modlin said. “By enforcing wildlife laws and serving as stewards of California’s natural resources, they help safeguard both the resource itself and the hunting heritage connected to it. Their dedication is an important part of keeping that tradition alive.”
The graduation ceremony serves as a celebration of the commitment these officers have made and the support systems that helped them reach that milestone. Family members, friends and conservation partners gathered to recognize the graduates as they officially began their careers protecting California’s natural resources.
The badge-pinning ceremony provided one of the most meaningful moments of the day, as loved ones joined graduates on stage to place new badges on their uniforms. The tradition symbolizes both the responsibility that comes with the position and the personal sacrifices made along the way.
For the NWTF, being present at this moment is an opportunity to recognize the important connection between wildlife conservation and the people who dedicate their careers to supporting it.
“Partnerships are at the heart of conservation, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is an important partner in that work,” Modlin said. “Being able to recognize these new officers as they begin their careers is one small way the NWTF can show its appreciation for their commitment to California’s wildlife and the people who enjoy it.”
Conservation is rarely accomplished through a single action or by one group alone. It requires biologists studying wildlife populations, habitat managers improving landscapes, hunters contributing to conservation funding, and wildlife officers ensuring the systems that support those efforts remain strong.
Each plays a different role, but together they form the foundation of conservation success.
For California’s newest wildlife officers, the journey is just beginning. They leave the academy with a badge, a commitment to public service, and the responsibility of carrying forward the conservation legacy that came before them.
And for one graduate, they also leave with a turkey call — a reminder that every tool, every skill and every person has a role to play in protecting the future of wildlife and the outdoors.
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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