Post by cambygsp on Aug 12, 2005 6:58:02 GMT -5
TRCP partner organization Pheasants Forever (PF) has announced it is extending its successful approach to pheasant conservation to another beloved upland bird species: quail. Quail Forever will build on PF's track record of successful local chapter development, localized habitat initiatives, and national public policy leadership and advocacy. Plans for the new organization include recruitment of additional wildlife biologists and a phased chapter development plan.
PF has a steady track record of success, including the completion of more than 300,000 habitat projects benefiting 3.4 million acres for wildlife since inception. PF has also participated in over 800 land acquisitions totaling more than 100,000 acres now open to public hunting. All told, PF has spent more than $170 million nationwide on wildlife habitat projects and conservation education during its 23-year history.
In forming Quail Forever, PF plans to deploy its current organizational model – localized decision-making with lean, low-overhead central administration. Pheasants Forever already has a strong presence in states where quail and pheasants share habitat – Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. In fact, Pheasants Forever members have been responsible for delivering more than 2 million acres of wildlife habitat in those shared habitat ranges. Those same states have also been some of the country's most successful at enrolling acres in the bobwhite buffers (CP-33) component of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
PF is outlining a phased approach to establishing the Quail Forever organization. Initial focus will be on states with both pheasant and quail hunters and habitat. Quail Forever's expansion south and west will be based on chapter interest and available resources. In the organization's first year, Quail Forever has set a goal of forming 50 chapters and recruiting 12,000 members to work on quail habitat projects.
PF is one of TRCP's strongest partners and has played an important leadership role in particular on the Partnership's efforts to expand access through the Open Fields Bill and improve the effectiveness and reach of the critically important conservation programs to be included in the next Farm Bill.
Any of you TRCP Partners who have tried to hunt for quail or used to hunt for quail know how dramatically this great gamebird's numbers have declined. Those of us interested in rebuilding quail populations and conserving their habitat can take great heart in the news that PF will be taking up the quail's cause.
To learn more about starting a Quail Forever chapter in your area, please contact the Quail Forever national office toll free at (866)45-QUAIL or contact Jim Wooley at (641)774-2238 or via email at jwooley@lisco.com.
PF has a steady track record of success, including the completion of more than 300,000 habitat projects benefiting 3.4 million acres for wildlife since inception. PF has also participated in over 800 land acquisitions totaling more than 100,000 acres now open to public hunting. All told, PF has spent more than $170 million nationwide on wildlife habitat projects and conservation education during its 23-year history.
In forming Quail Forever, PF plans to deploy its current organizational model – localized decision-making with lean, low-overhead central administration. Pheasants Forever already has a strong presence in states where quail and pheasants share habitat – Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. In fact, Pheasants Forever members have been responsible for delivering more than 2 million acres of wildlife habitat in those shared habitat ranges. Those same states have also been some of the country's most successful at enrolling acres in the bobwhite buffers (CP-33) component of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
PF is outlining a phased approach to establishing the Quail Forever organization. Initial focus will be on states with both pheasant and quail hunters and habitat. Quail Forever's expansion south and west will be based on chapter interest and available resources. In the organization's first year, Quail Forever has set a goal of forming 50 chapters and recruiting 12,000 members to work on quail habitat projects.
PF is one of TRCP's strongest partners and has played an important leadership role in particular on the Partnership's efforts to expand access through the Open Fields Bill and improve the effectiveness and reach of the critically important conservation programs to be included in the next Farm Bill.
Any of you TRCP Partners who have tried to hunt for quail or used to hunt for quail know how dramatically this great gamebird's numbers have declined. Those of us interested in rebuilding quail populations and conserving their habitat can take great heart in the news that PF will be taking up the quail's cause.
To learn more about starting a Quail Forever chapter in your area, please contact the Quail Forever national office toll free at (866)45-QUAIL or contact Jim Wooley at (641)774-2238 or via email at jwooley@lisco.com.
