Quail Forever is pleased to announce the hiring of Leslie Fowler as the organization’s new Monarch and Pollinator Coordinator in Arkansas. In her new role, Fowler will assist the
Arkansas Monarch Conservation Partnership as well as a multitude of state agencies to deliver acres critical to the survival and population growth of monarch butterflies, pollinators, and upland wildlife.
Following a summit of state and federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, businesses, landowners and others in 2015, a concerted effort was made to bring greater focus to the plight of the monarch butterfly and pollinators in Arkansas. Summit attendees agreed that a statewide strategy should be developed in the form of an
Arkansas Monarch and Pollinator Conservation Plan. Among the deliverables of the plan, Fowler will help tackle a specific goal to restore, create, enhance and manage 500,000 acres of native habitats that support monarchs and pollinators on public lands by 2023 – a major benefit to quail and upland hunters in the state of Arkansas.
Quail Forever has taken a leadership role nationwide in the delivery of pollinator habitat due to the ancillary benefits it provides for upland species. Habitat necessary for rapidly declining populations of monarch butterflies and honey bees is also the very same diverse prairie habitat necessary for quail and other wildlife to thrive. Likewise, the insects produced in this habitat are the primary food source for bobwhite chicks during their first months of life.
“I am elated to have Leslie join our Quail Forever team in Arkansas,” reported Chris McLeland, south region director for Quail Forever. “Leslie brings a unique talent set to our organization and partners that will help reverse the ninety percent decline in monarch butterflies our nation has witnessed in the past 30 years. By doing great work for butterflies and pollinators, we will also be boosting quality habitat for bobwhite quail which is exciting for our members.”
Leslie Fowler grew up on public lands in southern Idaho where she developed a passion for conservation and the outdoors lifestyle at an early age. A graduate of the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Ecology and Management and a second degree in Ecology and Conservation Biology, she brings a wealth of knowledge in biology and wildland firefighting to her new position. Before joining Quail Forever, Fowler was previously employed with the Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Fire Institute of Research and Education, the National Park Service, and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.
While attending the University of Idaho, Fowler was active in several organizations including the Student Association for Fire Ecology, Xi Sigma Pi, the Student Alumni Relations Board, and Alpha Phi.
Fowler will be based at the NRCS state office in Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information about deliverables of the Arkansas Monarch and Pollinator Conservation Plan, contact Leslie Fowler at
LFowler@QuailForever.Org or by phone at (208) 431-5233.
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 13,000 habitat projects across the nation benefitting quail and other wildlife. Along with its affiliate organization Pheasants Forever, it has committed more than $784 million to improve more than 17 million acres of wildlife habitat. Quail Forever has more than 16,000 members and 170 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@quailforever.org