(James R. Wilkins Jr.)

Contact Pete Muller at (803) 637-7698 or pmuller@nwtf.net

James R. Wilkins Jr. Jumpstarts NWTF Endowment

EDGEFIELD, S.C.— James R. Wilkins, Jr., well known across the state of Virginia for his humanitarianism and his commitment to wildlife resource conservation, has taken his dedication to conservation and hunting heritage to an extraordinary height by jumpstarting the NWTF Endowment with a $1 million gift.

“Jimmy’s generous gift to establish the NWTF Endowment will create a long-term funding structure to make a lasting impact on wildlife conservation and preserving our treasured hunting heritage for generations to come,” NWTF CEO Becky Humphries said. “We are immensely grateful for Jimmy’s generational donation and to have him as part of the flock.”

Wilkins’ monumental gift to establish the NWTF Endowment was officially announced at the NWTF 46th annual Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, Tennessee, to an audience of NWTF volunteers, members and staff during the Friday Rendezvous session. After the program, members of the audience were invited to express their gratitude on a large banner that read, “Thank you, Jimmy! The NWTF Endowment, initiated by James R. Wilkins, Jr.”

Throughout his life, Wilkins has been awarded and recognized dozens of times for his commitment to his state-wide community.

Wilkins has a long history with the NWTF and natural resource conservation. He became a life member of the NWTF in 1980. He has also served on NWTF chapter committees, selling tickets and promoting NWTF events. In 2001, Wilkins was inducted to the Virginia Wild Turkey Federation Conservationist Hall of Fame. In 1998, Wilkins was named Tree Farmer of the Year in the state of Virginia. In 1996, the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Districts presented Wilkins a Forestry Award for the state. Moreover, Wilkins and his entire family hold Lifetime Virginia Hunting and Fishing licenses.

“Jimmy has been a wild turkey admirer and hunter for nearly 50 years,” said Zac Morton, NWTF Mid-Atlantic director of development. “He’s also been a part of our NWTF family since the late 1970s. His vision and generosity to establish the NWTF Endowment will make a tremendous impact on our organization and beloved bird forever. We are most appreciative of his gift and honored to be a part of his storied legacy.”

Wilkins also has a long history of serving his community in the Old Dominion State, including 40 years of service on the Board of Trustees at Shenandoah University, eight years of service as a city councilman, honorary chairman of the Cancer Center Campaign of Winchester Medical Center and charter member of the Winchester Law Enforcement Foundation, among many other notable roles across all facets of the community.

In addition to his history with the NWTF and his incredible donation to initiate the NWTF Endowment, Wilkins also holds life memberships with the North American Hunting Club, Colorado Bowhunters Association, National Rifle Association and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

“It’s with great pleasure that I was able to initiate the NWTF Endowment,” Wilkins said. “I want future generations to appreciate the wild turkey, hunting and our natural resources like I have. The NWTF has played a critical role in conservation, education and avocation, and I want to do my part to ensure this great organization continues its mission long into the future.”

About the National Wild Turkey Federation

When the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in 1973, there were about 1.3 million wild turkeys in North America. After decades of work, that number hit a historic high of almost 7 million turkeys. To succeed, the NWTF stood behind science-based conservation and hunters' rights. Today, the NWTF is focused on the future of hunting and conservation through its Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative. Since 2012, this 10-year initiative has already eclipsed goals of conserving or enhancing more than 4 million acres of essential wildlife habitat, recruiting or retaining more than 1.5 million hunters and opening access to more than 500,000 acres for hunting and other recreation opportunities. This critical work will continue to impact wildlife habitat and our great outdoors in the final year of the initiative.

National Wild Turkey Federation
PO Box 530
Edgefield South Carolina 29824
United States