Quail Forever in Illinois Strengthens Voluntary Conservation Program Assistance for Private Landowners

Quail Forever and its partners are pleased to announce the expansion of the Illinois Farm Bill Biologist Partnership with the hiring of three new positions throughout the state. The biologists – Jeremy Kunick, Joe Pyszka and Amber Hall – will assist landowners in designing, developing, and funding habitat improvements on private lands through a unique partnership with state and federal agencies.
 
Created in 2004, the Farm Bill Biologist Partnership has provided a valuable benefit to landowners throughout the country who are interested in voluntary conservation program enrollment. Commonly referred to as the “One Stop Shop” for anything conservation or wildlife-related on private lands, Quail Forever biologists possess the knowledge of federal, state, and local programs to assist landowners in finding the right program to meet their personal habitat and land use goals. Since 2010, Illinois’ biologist team alone has assisted 7,668 landowners to impact 121,286 acres for wildlife conservation efforts in the state.
 
“We’re excited to have three new biologists on staff to help deliver mission in the quail range of our state,” stated Erin Holmes, Quail Forever’s state coordinator for Illinois. “Jeremy, Amber, and Joe have diverse backgrounds to enrich the team with their various experience and interests. Each is passionate about conservation and we are eager to have them get to work in their respective areas. Our partners at the NRCS and IDNR have been extremely supportive throughout the hiring process, while helping to ensure a bright future for wildlife and diverse habitat in Illinois.”
 
Farm Bill Biologist Partnership Hires:
 
Jeremy Kunick - Working for Quail Forever in Marion, Clay, Jefferson, Hamilton, White, Wayne, Richland, Lawrence, Edwards, and Wabash counties, Kunick will be responsible for land management and conservation assistance in southern Illinois. Kunick received a B.S. in Forestry and Wildlife Habitat Management from Southern Illinois University (SIU) - Carbondale. Prior conservation employment includes SIU Cooperative Wildlife Laboratory Research, Resource & Wildlife Management for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and owner/operator of Nature's Advantage Wildlife Habitat Management Service. Kunick brings an abundance of natural resource knowledge and outdoor passion to his new position that will provide a welcomed boost to the state’s conservation heritage. For more information about private lands conservation programs in Illinois, contact Jeremy Kunick at jkunick@pheasantsforever.org or (618) 315-3020.
 
Amber Hall – Working for Quail Forever in Shelby, Fayette, Effingham, Jasper, Cumberland, Moultrie, and Coles counties, Hall will be responsible for land management and conservation assistance throughout eastern Illinois. Originally from Alabama, Hall received a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Management from Auburn University. As a lover of all things outdoors from waterfowl hunting to hiking, Hall looks to share her passion for conserving natural resources with a new generation of naturalists in Illinois. For more information about private lands conservation programs in Illinois, contact Amber Hall at ahall@pheasantsforever.org or (217) 347-7107 (x2).
 
Joe Pyszka - Working for Quail Forever in Tazewell, McLean, Woodford, DeWitt, and Livingston counties, Pyszka will be responsible for land management and conservation assistance throughout central Illinois. Pyszka received a B.S. in Environmental Biology and a minor in Natural Resources Conservation from Western Illinois University. His previous employment experience includes working as a biological field technician for The Wetlands Initiative. Growing up in central Illinois, Pyszka developed a love for natural resources in his home state and an awareness for the importance of conserving wildlife habitat. Pyszka brings a burning desire to collectively improve wildlife habitat for the benefit of the private landowner and the sportsman alike. For more information about private lands conservation programs in Illinois, contact Joe Pyszka at jpyszka@pheasantsforever.org or (815) 915-5821.
 
About Quail Forever
 
Quail Forever is a leading organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation efforts for the United States’ native quail species. Since its creation in 2005, Quail Forever has conducted more than 8,500 habitat projects across the nation benefitting quail and other wildlife. Along with its affiliate organization Pheasants Forever,  it has committed more than $708 million to improve more than 15.8 million acres of wildlife habitat. Quail Forever has more than 16,000 members and 165 local chapters across the country. Both Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever are part of Pheasants Forever, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit. 
 
Media Contact
Jared Wiklund
(651) 209-4953
jwiklund@pheasantsforever.org