Friday, August 10, 2007
Quail Forever Marks Two-Year Anniversary
Anthony Hauck (651)209-4972
Over 90 QF chapters have formed in 26 states to lead the road to quail
recovery
Saint Paul, Minn. – August 10, 2007 – Today, Quail Forever (QF) celebrates
its second anniversary. In the two years since Pheasants Forever (PF)
launched QF, over 90 QF chapters have formed in 26 different states, all
focused on QF's mission – the conservation of quail and other wildlife
populations.
"Young chapters are already initiating habitat projects and youth
programs," said Jim Wooley, QF's Director of Field Operations. "Because QF
chapters have responded well to QF's locally-driven model. These chapters
and members are willing to work hard to raise funds and do the necessary
habitat work, because they are able to see the results of that work in
their own communities." Like PF, QF employs the unique model of empowering
local chapters with 100 percent control of the chapters' locally-raised
funds to complete habitat and youth education projects in the chapters' own
communities.
QF chapters are also working hand-in-hand with local farmers and
landowners. "They are promoting the Conservation Reserve Program’s CP-33
Practice (Bobwhite Buffers) to provide transitional habitat along row crops
for quail nesting and brood-rearing. Nationwide, over 161,000 acres have
been enrolled in the program.," Wooley said.
And QF is engaging policymakers in the needs of quail during the current
2007 Farm Bill debate. QF legislative director Dave Nomsen led a large
coalition of conservation organizations in support of the Federal Farm Bill
passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. QF staff, members and
biologists influenced support of the bill with their phone calls and
participation on Capitol Hill.
But despite the early success of QF chapters, U.S. quail populations remain
in trouble. If quail habitat continues to disappear, so will the quail…and
along with it, quail hunting.
• From 1980 to 2000, bobwhites declined range-wide by an average of nearly
70%, and much more in specific states.
• Last fall, the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies –
whose members manage wildlife in 16 states - suggested the bird could
disappear from some areas of the South by 2010.
• The Northern Bobwhite Quail topped the National Audubon Society's List of
Top 20 Common Birds in Decline. The National Audubon Society recently
announced that the population of the northern bobwhite quail has declined
by a staggering 82 percent during the past four decades. Quail numbers have
fallen from an estimated 31 million in 1967 to just 5.5 million today.
"Quail need troops, plain and simple," Wooley said, "The only way the
plight of this great game bird will change is if enough people care enough
to do something about it. Quail need your help."
Quail Forever is looking for conservation leaders across America's quail
range. To learn more about Quail Forever, please contact QF toll free at
(866)457-8245 or email contact@quailforever.org. Looking for the nearest
Quail Forever chapter in your state or region? Log onto
http://www.quailforever.org/page/FindaChapter.
Pheasants Forever launched Quail Forever in August of 2005 to address the
continuing loss of habitat suitable for quail and the subsequent quail
population decline. QF chapters promote local, state, and federal
conservation programs that help landowners protect environmentally
sensitive acres for quail and other wildlife.
-30-
For additional information about Quail Forever, please visit
www.QuailForever.org
Print Page
Anthony Hauck (651)209-4972
Over 90 QF chapters have formed in 26 states to lead the road to quail
recovery
Saint Paul, Minn. – August 10, 2007 – Today, Quail Forever (QF) celebrates
its second anniversary. In the two years since Pheasants Forever (PF)
launched QF, over 90 QF chapters have formed in 26 different states, all
focused on QF's mission – the conservation of quail and other wildlife
populations.
"Young chapters are already initiating habitat projects and youth
programs," said Jim Wooley, QF's Director of Field Operations. "Because QF
chapters have responded well to QF's locally-driven model. These chapters
and members are willing to work hard to raise funds and do the necessary
habitat work, because they are able to see the results of that work in
their own communities." Like PF, QF employs the unique model of empowering
local chapters with 100 percent control of the chapters' locally-raised
funds to complete habitat and youth education projects in the chapters' own
communities.
QF chapters are also working hand-in-hand with local farmers and
landowners. "They are promoting the Conservation Reserve Program’s CP-33
Practice (Bobwhite Buffers) to provide transitional habitat along row crops
for quail nesting and brood-rearing. Nationwide, over 161,000 acres have
been enrolled in the program.," Wooley said.
And QF is engaging policymakers in the needs of quail during the current
2007 Farm Bill debate. QF legislative director Dave Nomsen led a large
coalition of conservation organizations in support of the Federal Farm Bill
passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. QF staff, members and
biologists influenced support of the bill with their phone calls and
participation on Capitol Hill.
But despite the early success of QF chapters, U.S. quail populations remain
in trouble. If quail habitat continues to disappear, so will the quail…and
along with it, quail hunting.
• From 1980 to 2000, bobwhites declined range-wide by an average of nearly
70%, and much more in specific states.
• Last fall, the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies –
whose members manage wildlife in 16 states - suggested the bird could
disappear from some areas of the South by 2010.
• The Northern Bobwhite Quail topped the National Audubon Society's List of
Top 20 Common Birds in Decline. The National Audubon Society recently
announced that the population of the northern bobwhite quail has declined
by a staggering 82 percent during the past four decades. Quail numbers have
fallen from an estimated 31 million in 1967 to just 5.5 million today.
"Quail need troops, plain and simple," Wooley said, "The only way the
plight of this great game bird will change is if enough people care enough
to do something about it. Quail need your help."
Quail Forever is looking for conservation leaders across America's quail
range. To learn more about Quail Forever, please contact QF toll free at
(866)457-8245 or email contact@quailforever.org. Looking for the nearest
Quail Forever chapter in your state or region? Log onto
http://www.quailforever.org/page/FindaChapter.
Pheasants Forever launched Quail Forever in August of 2005 to address the
continuing loss of habitat suitable for quail and the subsequent quail
population decline. QF chapters promote local, state, and federal
conservation programs that help landowners protect environmentally
sensitive acres for quail and other wildlife.
-30-
For additional information about Quail Forever, please visit
www.QuailForever.org
Print Page
