EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Prominent wild turkey researcher Mike Chamberlain, Ph.D., professor of wildlife ecology and management at the University of Georgia, has been formally appointed to chair the National Wild Turkey Federation Distinguished Professor position at UGA. The UGA Board of Regents officially selected Chamberlain for the NWTF position at its Aug. 14 meeting in Atlanta.
“Having the first endowed position ever created that focuses solely on wild turkey research be housed at the University of Georgia is an honor,” Chamberlain said. “The NWTF’s vision and willingness to support such a position speaks clearly to the organization’s commitment to research and science that will guide conservation and management efforts for wild turkeys into the future. I cannot thank the NWTF and its board members who saw the value and necessity of this endowment enough; their passion and commitment to the resource are unyielding.”
For over 30 years, Chamberlain has been a stalwart researcher of wild turkey ecology. Being both a mainstay researcher in academia and a passionate turkey hunter, Chamberlain conveys a unique perspective, understanding what the leading science says while also being aware of the position and desires of many turkey hunters. What’s more, Chamberlain has effectively communicated the often-nuanced aspects of wild turkey ecology research to the broader turkey hunting public and has engaged the turkey hunting community on the importance of research and conservation practices.
Chamberlain has leveraged his large following on social media platforms with his “Turkey Tuesday” posts, segments that elaborate on wild turkey ecology and how it applies to hunters. Similarly, he has utilized his Wild Turkey Lab platform to make archives of wild turkey research accessible to all who want to learn, while also providing engaging content. The NWTF is a proud supporter of the Wild Turkey Lab.
Similar university positions exist for waterfowl, quail, ungulates (deer) and other species, but the NWTF Distinguished Professor is the first of its kind for the wild turkey.
The NWTF announced the novel position in June, while awaiting the UGA Board of Regents’ formal decision of who would chair the position.
“As he brings over three decades of wild turkey expertise into this position, Mike carries immense credibility, know-how and passion into this role,” said Mark Hatfield, NWTF national director of science and planning. “We are excited to see Mike cultivate this new role into something that ensures the sustainability of the wild turkey across generations. As the endowment grows, so too will the impact for the wild turkey.”
In the short term, funding generated through the NWTF endowment will allow Chamberlain to cover unexpected field study expenses that are not explicitly covered under existing grants.
“My field staff routinely run into issues where we need to purchase items that can be difficult to purchase under grants, such as computing resources and software,” he said. “Being able to have funds available to cover those expenses is very important. Long term, as the endowment grows, there will be sufficient funding to cover salaries of people who can focus their sole attention on conducting research related to wild turkeys.”
The UGA endowment was jumpstarted by a $250,000 contribution from the NWTF and a $250,000 match grant from the UGA Foundation. NWTF’s staff leadership, the National Board of Directors and state chapter leaders endorsed this opportunity at the 48th annual Convention and Sport Show in Nashville in February.
The NWTF seeks to create similar positions at key universities across the country; this network of endowed professorships will promote future wild turkey researchers and ensure the study of the wild turkey remains an area of emphasis, during times of decline and during times of stability.
Chamberlain’s formal appointment to the position comes on the heels of the NWTF’s $655,447 investment in nine new wild turkey research projects, bringing the NWTF’s investment in specific wild turkey ecology research projects — in just over two years — to $1,597,821 through its National Wild Turkey Request for Proposals program. Learn more about how the NWTF is the foremost wild turkey research organization, leading the sustainability of the bird across the country.
Importantly, any NWTF endowed professorships or programs will not be guaranteed additional funding each year through the NWTF’s RFP program. Endowed professors will still have to apply for research funding through the NWTF’s competitive RFP process, which includes evaluation and scoring of projects by the NWTF Wild Turkey Technical Committee.
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 23 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.
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