A Saginaw County 15-year-old was recognized as the wild turkey patch contest design winner at the regular meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission Dec. 4 in Lansing.

Jonathon Knieper, a ninth grader from Chesaning, was honored for designing the 2009 Wild Turkey Management Cooperator Patch.

Each year, Michigan students in grades K-12 are invited to submit designs for the annual Wild Turkey Management Cooperator Patch. The patch design contest is sponsored by the Michigan chapter of the National Wildlife Turkey Federation (NWTF), Michigan State University (MSU), and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Students submit their design entries to MSU and the NWTF and the winning design becomes next year's patch.

"This is a great opportunity for youth to use their design skills and creativity, and learn about wild turkeys in Michigan," said DNR Upland Game Bird Specialist Al Stewart. "Wild turkeys disappeared from our state in the early 1900s, but now, thanks to proper management, the population has returned to healthy levels."

To learn more about the turkey patch program, visit the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr, or visit www.carrs.msu.edu/turkeypatch/.

"We encourage teachers to participate in the turkey patch program to help students learn about Michigan wildlife," said Dale Elshoff, the conservation education specialist at MSU. "We are currently soliciting entries for the 2010 Michigan wild turkey management cooperator patch." Entries must be postmarked by Jan. 9, 2009.

Troy Hopkins, patch coordinator for the Michigan chapter of the NWTF, said that the group is pleased to offer a cash incentive to the top three finishers in the patch contest. "The contest provides a fun way for students to learn about Michigan's important natural resources and we are proud to be a partner in this program."

The new DNR 2009 Wild Turkey Management Cooperator patch will be available from the National Wild Turkey Federation in January 2009.