Chapters, individuals and partners help improve over 15,000 acres for Illinois wildlife in 2011.
East Peoria, Ill. –-(Ammoland.com)- Illinois Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever recognized chapters and individuals from across the state for their wildlife habitat conservation efforts at the organizations’ recent state convention.
The Silver Creek Quail Forever chapter was named the Illinois Chapter of the Year, and Alan Justice was named the Illinois Volunteer of the Year.
“This year’s state meeting was a fine showcase of our chapters and volunteers working to accomplish great things for Illinois’ outdoor culture,” says Dick Wyatt, Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) Northern Illinois Regional Representative, “Illinois Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever improved over 15,000 acres for wildlife in 2011.
Those acres are a direct result of our members, volunteers and partners working together to further the organizations’ habitat mission.”
The event took place at the Par-A-Dice Hotel & Convention Center located in East Peoria, Ill. In attendance were various guest speakers, including Pheasants Forever President & CEO Howard Vincent. Following the day’s round-table discussions and educational break-out sessions, the awards banquet and live auction took place to celebrate a successful 2011 for “The Habitat Organization.”
Illinois Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Chapter Awards
The Silver Creek Quail Forever chapter was recognized as the Illinois Chapter of the Year. The chapter worked with many local partners and donors to complete habitat improvement near the chapter’s headquarters of Collinsville, Illinois. These improvements are a much needed welcome for the state’s bobwhite quail populations, which have suffered in recent years due to erratic weather patterns.
Chapters & individuals from across the state were recognized for their efforts in habitat conservation, youth education and their dedication to the organizations’ mission. Those chapters receiving recognition were: “Chapter of the Year” – Silver Creek QF • “Rookie Chapter of the Year” – Golden Triangle QF • “Banquet of the Year” – Winnebago County PF • “Conservation Excellence” – $250K Spent on Habitat – McHenry County PF and Rock Island/Henry PF • “Conservation Excellence” – $500K Spent on Habitat – Carroll County PF and Illinois River Valley PF • “Leopold Leaders” Education in Schools – Vermilion County PF • “No Child Left Indoors Initiative” – Golden Triangle QF, Kishwaukee PF, and Montgomery County PF.
Illinois Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Volunteer Awards
While Illinois has many dedicated individuals and partners supporting the organizations’ habitat mission, the following were recognized as leaders in their respective categories: “Volunteer of the Year” – Alan Justice, Tri City QF • “Conservation Partner” – Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) • “Conservation Educator” – Fred Magers, Illinois Pioneer PF • “Wildlife Professional” – Dr. Brian Anderson, Director of Illinois Natural History Survey • “Dedication Awards” – Matt Homan, Lincoln Heritage PF; Brad Ozee, Montgomery County PF; and Cherly Innes, Douglas County PF • “Long Spur Society Awards” – Dennis Clatterbuck, Iroquois County PF; Glenn Bishop, Montgomery County PF; Tom Rogers, Dewitt County PF; Jim Ash, Lincolnland QF; Gene Swanson – Tallgrass PF.
For more information on Pheasants Forever or Quail Forever in northern Illinois, please contact Dick Wyatt at (217) 733-2173 / Email Dick. For more information on Pheasants Forever or Quail Forever in southern Illinois, please contact Tim Caughran, Pheasants Forever Regional Wildlife Biologist, at (618) 467-2586 / Email Tim.
Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 130,000 members and 700 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent, the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure.
Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs.
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