Recent Alabama Event Shows Interest in Quail is High
By Andy Edwards, Quail Forever Program Manager
Members of the Quail Forever team recently attended an event in southern Alabama that sparked interest in our beloved gamebird, the bobwhite quail. The Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival is a relatively new, but quickly expanding event that celebrates wildlife art and the great outdoors. Art appreciators and outdoor enthusiasts recently gathered for this annual festival, which featured a series of educational presentations, art exhibits and classes, outdoor vendors, children’s activities, and delicious food.
Quail Forever was fortunate to be included in this year’s event due to the thoughtful consideration of Quail Forever national board member, Thomas Harris. Harris, along with Pam Swanner of the Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association, and Tim Gothard of the Alabama Wildlife Federation worked to ensure that attendees were well informed concerning what Quail Forever could do to assist them on their properties.
One highlight of the festival was the “Birds and Biscuits” breakfast where attendees learned about conservation initiatives and best practices for managing habitat for bobwhite quail and other wildlife.
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Dr. Jessica McGuire, Quail Science and Working Lands for Wildlife Frameworks Coordinator with Quail Forever, and Claude Jenkins, Wildlife Biologist with Alabama Wildlife Federation, presented on these topics and fielded questions concerning quail management and biology. Jordan Martincich, Vice President of Development for Quail Forever, also gave a high-level organizational overview, information on Quail Forever’s efforts in Alabama, as well as a legislative update. The event was attended by over 50 quail enthusiasts and Thomas Harris graciously provided all attendees with a complimentary Quail Forever annual membership.
A team of Quail Forever biologists including Brittney Viers, TN State Coordinator, Catherine Carter, Tennessee and Alabama Grasslands Outreach Coordinator, John Mark Curtis, Senior Biologist serving Alabama, Mississippi, and Kentucky, and Jessie Douglas, Alabama Farm Bill Biologist all pitched in to assist Dr. McGuire in staffing the Quail Forever booth at the festival. Hundreds of attendees visited the booth and learned more about bobwhite quail and Quail Forever’s efforts to restore and enhance quail habitat in Alabama.
Follow up conversations with landowners, partners, and attendees have shown what a success this event truly was. Once again, we are thankful to all the partners, volunteers, and staff that made Quail Forever’s participation in the Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival possible.
To find out more about Quail Forever in Alabama visit QF Alabama on Facebook. To learn more about the Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival visit their website here.