For Immediate Release

    EDGEFIELD, S.C.     Conservation Officer Kevin Bingaman with the West Virginia Division of
    Natural Resources will be honored by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) for his
    efforts in conserving America's wildlife.

    Bingaman, of Sutton, W.Va., will be recognized as the NWTF's West Virginia Wildlife Law
    Enforcement Officer of the Year during its 33rd annual Convention and Sport Show, held Feb.
    19 to Feb. 22, 2009, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville,
    Tenn.

    The NWTF initiated the State Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award in 2000 to
    highlight the contributions from wildlife officers across the country.  In addition to playing a
    crucial role in helping to convict wildlife criminals, many wildlife officers volunteer their own
    time to help educate youth about the importance of wildlife, conservation and our hunting
    traditions.

    The NWTF is a national nonprofit conservation organization that was founded in 1973 and
    has worked with wildlife agencies restore wild turkey populations from 1.3 million wild turkeys
    to nearly 7 million today. Now, NWTF's volunteers raise funds and work daily to improve
    critical wildlife habitat, increase access to public hunting land and introduce people to the
    outdoors and hunting.

    By earning the State Wildlife Officer of the Year award, Bingaman and other state winners are
    eligible for the NWTF's National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award, which will be
    presented during the NWTF's Awards Banquet Saturday, Feb. 21 during the Convention and
    Sport Show.

    For more information about the NWTF's Convention and Sport Show, visit http://www.nwtf.
    org/special_events/convention.html.

    For more information about the NWTF's law enforcement award winners, or the NWTF's
    efforts to support wildlife law enforcement, call (800) THE-NWTF, or visit www.nwtf.org.

    About the NWTF:  In 1973, Tom Rodgers founded the National Wild Turkey Federation in
    Fredericksburg, Va., as a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education
    organization with a mission dedicated to conserving wild turkeys and preserving hunting
    traditions. Shortly thereafter, Rodgers relocated the NWTF to Edgefield, S.C., where it's still
    headquartered today.

    At the time NWTF was established, there were only 1.3 million wild turkeys. Today that number
    stands at more than seven million birds throughout North America, thanks to the efforts of
    state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members and partners.

    Growth and progress define the NWTF as it has expanded from 1,300 members in 1973 to
    nearly a half million today. With that growth has come impressive strides in wildlife
    management as the NWTF has forged dynamic partnerships across the country to further its
    conservation mission. Together, the NWTF's partners, sponsors and grassroots members
    have raised and spent more than $279 million upholding hunting traditions and conserving
    nearly 14 million acres of wildlife habitat.

    While wild turkey restoration is nearing completion, the NWTF still has much work to do.
    Across North America, supporters are working to enhance habitat for wild turkeys and other
    wildlife while providing hunters with more opportunities and access to public and private land.
    In addition, NWTF volunteers and partners are introducing youth, women and people with
    disabilities to the outdoors through special educational events.

    If you would like to become a member of Team NWTF, join a committee or start a chapter,
    please visit our Web site at www.nwtf.org or call us at 800-THE-NWTF.


    For more information, contact Shannon Coggin at (803) 637-3106
West Virginia State Chapter National Wild Turkey Federation