The National Wild Turkey Federation presented Duke Energy the prestigious Energy for Wildlife National Achievement Award at the 41st Annual Convention and Sport Show.

Duke Energy is a conservation partner of the NWTF’s Energy for Wildlife program, which aims to enhance wildlife habitat on land owned, managed or influenced by energy companies. 

“This award is a great honor and testament to our commitment to protect and restore wildlife and natural resources in the communities we serve,” said Larry Hatcher, Duke Energy’s vice president of environmental, health and safety, who accepted the award on the company’s behalf. “The proof is in the pudding, and we have a greater impact when we partner with organizations like the NWTF, which has been working tirelessly for decades to protect wildlife habitat.”

The NWTF determined this year’s award winners based on how their work strengthens the organization’s Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative. Late last year, the Duke Energy Foundation granted the NWTF’s Energy for Wildlife program $500,000 to help conserve or enhance more than 6,000 acres of critical habitat across Florida, the Carolinas and Indiana.

The project benefits imperiled pollinators and birds, as well as numerous other wildlife species. Conservation efforts will focus on establishing or enhancing habitat on public lands, such as state or national forests, and nearby areas where Duke Energy’s transmission rights-of-way cross large areas of forested habitat. The enhanced habitat conditions will provide cover and a sustainable food source for wildlife, while serving as a protective travel corridor for species that need it most.

“We cannot complete our Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative without great volunteers and great partners like Duke Energy,” said George Thornton, NWTF CEO. “Duke Energy’s commitment to conserve and provide enhanced habitats across their coverage areas are the kinds of commitments we need to see across the nation. They are truly making a difference.”

About Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.
The NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative is a charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to give the NWTF more energy and purpose than ever. Through this national initiative, NWTF has committed to raising $1.2 billion to conserve or enhance more than 4 million acres of essential upland wildlife habitat, recruit and reactivate at least 1.5 million hunters and open access to 500,000 acres for hunting, shooting and outdoor enjoyment. Without hunters, there will be no wildlife or habitat. The NWTF is determined to Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.

About Duke Energy
Duke Energy, one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States, supplies and delivers electricity to approximately 7.4 million customers in the Southeast and Midwest, representing a population of about 24 million people. The company also distributes natural gas to more than 1.5 million customers in the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Its commercial business operates a growing renewable energy portfolio and transmission infrastructure across the United States. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100 Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.