For Immediate Release

Quail Forever Marks Two-Year Anniversary

Over 90 QF chapters have formed in 26 states to lead the road to quail recovery

Saint Paul, Minn. - August 10 -

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 . Looking for the nearest Quail Forever chapter in your state or region? Log onto Quail Forever "Find a Chapter".

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.