Mississippi State's College of Forest Resources now includes a new Distinguished Endowed Professorship from the National Wild Turkey Federation, following the organization's announcement of the investment during its 50th annual Convention and Sport Show last month.

The professorship supports research benefiting wild turkey populations across their range and addresses today's most pressing challenges facing natural resource agencies, wildlife managers and private landowners. It also advances shared MSU and NWTF conservation priorities through the development, application and communication of science-based solutions.

Wes Burger, CFR dean and Forest and Wildlife Research Center director, underscored the historic transformation of wild turkey conservation and partnerships that made the professorship possible.

"Restoration of the wild turkey is one of the great North American conservation success stories," he said. "Wild turkey populations were as low as 200,000 in the early 1900s, disappearing completely from 20 states by the 1930s. The efforts of conservation organizations, along with state agencies and universities, contributed to the rebound of wild turkey, with an estimated population of more than 6 million birds now. We are thrilled to be a part of that conservation story along with our partners in the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and the National Wild Turkey Federation."

The university's CFR and the FWRC are nationally recognized for leadership in game species management. In the college's Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture there are endowed professorships and chairs in waterfowl and wetlands, white-tailed deer, upland game birds and management of habitats that support these species.

Andy Kouba, professor and department head, noted that the new professorship further strengthens the university's tradition of excellence.

"This professorship reinforces our legacy of leadership in wildlife science and management," he said. "It reflects our commitment to advancing research on species most important to hunters and land managers, fostering collaboration among leading wildlife researchers, and preparing the next generation of professionals dedicated to wild turkey management across its range."

Established through NWTF's $500,000 endowment, additional research support will be provided by long-standing partners at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

"This newly created NWTF Distinguished Endowed Professorship at Mississippi State is the result of our dedicated state chapters, donors and national organization which pooled their resources to help create this monumental position," NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. "It is part of our broader 10-year strategic plan to establish a national network of regional NWTF endowed university professorships and programs focused solely on conducting coordinated wild turkey research in perpetuity. We are especially proud to have this position at Mississippi State, as the university is a dedicated leader in furthering natural resources conservation."

This represents the second endowment established by the NWTF, which is establishing a national network of institutional professorships to strengthen coordinated conservation efforts across the wild turkey's home range. The first was established at the University of Georgia and is held by MSU-CFR alumnus Mike Chamberlain. A national search to fill the MSU position will begin in the coming months.

The NWTF was founded in 1973 and has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation, positively impacting more than 25 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. Their efforts include the continued deliverance of healthy forests and wildlife habitats, clean and abundant water, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities.

Learn more about the College of Forest Resources at www.cfr.msstate.edu, the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture at www.wildlifefisheries.msstate.edu, and FWRC at www.fwrc.msstate.edu.