QUWF Expands Forest Service Projects With CA Grant for Water Guzzlers
“It’s All About Wildlife”
Buffalo, Missouri –-(Ammoland.com)- The Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation, Inc (QUWF) announces that it has received a grant through the QUWF Santa Clarita, CA, Chapter to install two new wildlife watering sites, called guzzlers, on the Angeles National Forest.
“The Santa Clarita QUWF chapter is one of the most aggressive in the country in actively working in our National Forests and for public outreach,” states Craig A. Alderman, of QUWF National.
“The new grant from the Los Angeles Fish and Game Commission shows the exceptional partnership between the U.S. Forest Service, the Los Angeles Fish and Game and the QUWF Santa Clarita Chapter to provide and maintain additional wildlife watering sources where none exist today.
The QUWF chapter leaders and volunteers are known for their focus on the National Forest, CA Fish and Game Properties, and Bureau of Land Management located in Southern California. The overall goal of the three partners is to expand all forms of wildlife populations in the area by developing reliable and maintained water sources for wildlife,” explains Alderman. “This group of dedicated volunteers gets it done, they “turn-the -dirt” locally, the core value of QUWF,” declares Craig.
“We have witnessed mountain quail, valley quail, song birds, rabbits, rams and even mountain lions use the watering sites we have installed thus providing the water which they need for healthy population recovery and existence, especially during fire, drought or other unforeseen circumstances. Now wildlife can move between sites until we get back in to make repairs,” states John Wilson, Habitat Coordinator for the chapter.
“Our water development projects truly make an immediate impact on quail and upland wildlife including large game because these guzzlers have access for both,” explains Derek Fong, Board Chair of the QUWF Santa Clarita Chapter. “None of this would be possible without the active support of our dedicated QUWF chapter membership, they get out on the land with shovels, great smiles and know they are making a difference right now,” concludes Derek.
Watering sites, called guzzlers, are specially designed and manufactured devices that collect natural rain water into 600 gallon holding tanks, protected from the elements and that allow access to quail and upland wildlife. These guzzlers will have the added benefit of large game watering access devices for mule deer, lions, rams and others. Total cost of each guzzler is approximately $4 to $5 thousand dollars plus labor and equipment to install, normally provided by the volunteers. They can be prefabricated poly tanks or formed concrete designs depending on access and geography and last for decades when properly maintained.
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.