A chapter donation helps pave the way for wildlife conservation
Maryland Quail Forever Chesapeake Bay Chapter is making big impacts for quail, both on public and private lands. They recently donated $50,000 toward quail habitat restoration in a crucial part of the state, which was matched with an additional $150,000 of Pittman Robertson Act funding. The area where the work will take place is within a priority quail geography for the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW). Working Lands for Wildlife seeks to empower agricultural producers to incorporate conservation practices into their operations, creating win-win solutions for wildlife and landowners.
“We are excited and grateful that the local chapter has generously contributed funds and provided native seed mixes to convert former agricultural lands into diverse early successional habitats that are actively managed to foster wild quail populations,” says Allison Menefee Quail Forever State Coordinator for Virginia, Maryland, Delaware. “To date, the chapter's dedication has paved the way for the successful conversion of an impressive 271 acres, with an additional 196 acres set to be planted in the following year.”
Planting has already started on the area and will continue into 2026, with the goal of creating 550 acres of high-quality quail habitat on public land. The long-term vision is to create a hub of quail habitat where birds can not only thrive, but potentially expand their range.
“We’re fighting to reverse the decline, and our members are about conservation first,” said John Brader, Chesapeake Bay chapter president. “This project is a perfect example of that mission in action. Together with the Maryland DNR, we’re building habitat that benefits quail and countless other species.”
Similar work conducted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MD DNR) on another piece of crucial public property resulted in a quadrupling of quail numbers between 2021 and 2024.
“This project is a great example of what can be done with proper habitat management. Despite being absent for several years, quail made a resounding comeback following habitat restoration efforts,” said Bob Long, wild turkey and upland game bird project manager for MD DNR. “Many landowners that have not seen quail recently may feel the need to release pen-raised quail, or they think habitat restoration will be a waste of time. But in some cases, there are still a few birds present on the landscape, that are just waiting for the opportunity to take advantage of the newly-created habitat.”
Brader said the next step is working with local landowners and prescribed burn associations (PBAs) to improve habitat on private land in the area. PBAs are landowner cooperatives that help its members put prescribed fire on the ground by sharing manpower, equipment and training. Brader emphasized they are targeting PBAs because it allows them to have a greater impact than tackling individual landowner projects.
The work the Chesapeake Bay chapter is doing will be further amplified by Quail Forever’s Farm Bill biologists, who help facilitate financial and technical assistance through USDA-NRCS practices. Working Lands for Wildlife helps connect landowners with the resources they need to implement practices such as creating field borders, pollinator plantings, establishing native warm season grasses and other efforts designed to benefit both wildlife and the productivity of agricultural operations.
Bolstering Maryland’s quail population continues to be a collaborative effort, bringing together the passion of local Quail Forever chapters with MD DNR, the USDA-NRCS and community resources like prescribed burn associations. To learn more about available technical and financial assistance offered through Working Lands for Wildlife and what Quail Forever is doing for bobwhites in Kansas, contact a Quail Forever Biologist or visit a local USDA-NRCS Service center. To learn more about the Chesapeake Bay chapter in Maryland and how to get involved, contact ch3275@qfofficers.org or follow them on Facebook at Quail Forever in Maryland and Delaware.