Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation Commits $50,000 To Bobwhite Quail Recovery
Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation Provides Support To National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative
Buffalo, Missouri –-(Ammoland.com)- For the second year in a row, the Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF) and their national chapters are committing $50,000 to the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI).
“The NBCI is leading the charge for wild bobwhite quail recovery in its natural habitat range, helping all upland species at the same time . As a declining upland species, without our help, the needed habitat will disappear” states Craig Alderman of QUWF.
“The in-kind match for the NBCI enables them to continue engaging all member states through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to provide solid recovery plans drilled down to the private land owner who is our member and active conservationist” explains Alderman.
“We are addressing a known biological solution thanks to the NBCI, we know how to do the habitat, now it is a marketing focus to get states and landowners to take up the needed actions. It isn’t more biology, it is many more engaged landowners and that is where QUWF really works to be the leader in “turnin-the-dirt” at the local level” says Craig.
“When we help the bobwhite quail through planned and appropriate habitat work, we definitely and strongly help all upland species such as dove, deer, rabbit, turkey, song birds, grouse and more, and this is what QUWF is all about” concludes Craig.
The population of wild bobwhite quail has declined across its range because of a major loss of habitat, urban sprawl and changes in agricultural practices all compounded by extreme weather influences such as drought, heavy snow or ice and very wet springs.
“Very sensitive to a specific stage of habitat, the bobwhite quail does not adapt, it continues to decline and we cannot allow that to happen” states Nick Prough, Chief Wildlife Biologist for QUWF.
“We know we can do it, we have done it, there have been some very successful areas of recovery in Missouri and Arkansas, for example, where landowners have addressed the needs of the bobwhite quail and regained populations that exceed the baseline goals set by the NBCI. However, we need a larger landscape scale approach to help the population” Prough said and continued “which is where the NBCI step down plans for member states really matters”.
Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation, Inc., a tax exempt 501(c)(3) conservation organization, was formed to serve its members and chapters nationwide, providing a strong local source of habitat focus on quail and upland wildlife and population recovery. Millions of dollars of habitat work have been completed by its members over the years on thousands of acres of both private and public lands, now that work continues with a renewed vitality. Our chapters from coast to coast, provide the grass roots, local habitat work that is making a difference each and every day. For more information or to join QUWF please visit our website at www.quwf.net.
“Making a Difference For Wildlife, One Acre at a Time”