Buffalo, MO: “QUWF is dedicated to the recovery of many upland game species, the challenge of diminishing habitat lands, dramatic swings in weather conditions, changing habitat land practices and increasing the engagement of private land owners to perform successional habitat work” explains Craig Alderman, Founder of the Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation. “Thanks to the collective efforts of the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI), this meeting brought together significant horsepower to discuss future efforts, shared resources and a passion to preserve a fantastic upland bird. If you have not experienced the flush of a wild covey of quail, as a conservationist and upland supporter, you must” Alderman States.

Jim Douglas, chair of the meeting and Director of the Nebraska Game and Parks, along with Don McKenzie, Executive Director of the NBCI, welcomed all to Nebraska. “Our mission quite simply is to continue the restoration of the wild quail in its natural range and this meeting of the leaders in this field, is the key to success” Jim Said. “This is the silent, little known heavy horsepower behind true wildlife management in the U.S.” reflects Craig Alderman, “these men and woman will shape the hope of conservation for generations”.

Directors from Texas, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska, South Carolina along with QUWF, the U.S. Park Service, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service all met to discuss directions, options, challenges, successes of the wild bob white and the affects on other large and small game species when successional management is applied, a key component of wildlife and quail survival.

Pictured at left, from left, Craig Alderman, Don McKenzie and Jim Douglas.

“QUWF works constantly to maximize efficiencies of “on the ground” projects with our QUWF landowners, members and our conservation partners. We work with our landowners and other conservation partners, including both state and federal agencies to “complete” on the ground habitat projects. They truly are where the rubber meets the road and where the dirt is turned. Without these on the ground projects being completed by Tier 1 landowners, all other planning, manpower and strategies are simply just that planning and strategies. This can be seen directly by our efforts put forth reflected in many of the past issues of the NBCI State of the Bobwhite Reports with QUWF having reported over 412,323 acres of quail habitat practices nationwide over the past 6 years. That is what QUWF is about, Habitat and filling a niche that we can fill which directly supports on the ground habitat projects” States Nick Prough, Chief Wildlife Biologist of QUWF.

“The state official game bird of Missouri is the Bob White Quail, so we work hard to help preserve its status in our home state” Prough said.