A banquet to raise funds for wild turkey conservation will begin 6 p.m. Friday at the VFW in Charleston at 1821 20th St.

According to a press release, the Embarras chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will sponsor the fundraiser. Tickets cost $65 for couples or $50 for singles and can be reserved by contacting Mike Elam at [email protected] or 217-345-4660.

In addition to the banquet, the fundraiser will have raffle games and bids for outdoor-themed prizes, such as “sporting art, unique hunting firearms, knives, wildlife calls (and) outdoor equipment.”

The press release says the banquet is a “great place to meet new friends who share a passion for the outdoors.”

The admission ticket also includes a one-year subscription to NWTF’s magazine focusing on turkey conservation and hunting.

The press release describes the NWTF as a nonprofit organization concerned with education, conservation of wild turkeys and preservation of hunting traditions. It says the NWTF is the “nation’s most progressive single-species conservation organization.”

The Embarras fundraiser is part of a national initiative by NWTF called “Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.” It aims to raise $1.2 billion to preserve four million acres of upland habitat and 500,000 acres for hunting and outdoor recreation.

The News can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].