Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are proud to announce John Laux as the organization’s permanent habitat protection programs manager. In his new role, Laux will champion the delivery and expansion of habitat protection strategies with special focus on fee-title acquisitions and conservation easements throughout priority upland bird landscapes of the United States.
“Having vast past experience in access programs benefitting upland bird hunters and a wide array of wildlife throughout Nebraska, we’re thrilled to have John as a new team member of The Habitat Organization,” said Aaron Kuehl, director of habitat programs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “John brings nearly 20 years of professional experience in conservation to his new position and knows firsthand how to produce and protect critical habitat.”
A resident of Nebraska, Laux worked 8 years as a wildlife biologist for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC), delivering habitat conservation and access programs to private landowners in south-central Nebraska. Since 2016, he served as the NGPC’s upland game program manager, where he coordinated the agency’s upland habitat conservation, public access, and research initiatives statewide. He also developed partnerships with state, federal and private conservation agencies, and agricultural groups to improve wildlife habitat and increase public hunting access on private lands.
As the permanent habitat protection programs manager, Laux’s primary focus will be to provide leadership within the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever team to build strategy and facilitate a programmatic approach to habitat protection. Hunter access to upland bird habitat and opportunity for outreach will also be a priority. He will lead and coordinate the stewardship of conservation assets owned by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever for mission purposes, and as a member of the conservation operations team, he will work with development and corporate relations departments to fund permanent protection projects.
“I’m a longtime Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever member, and the expansion of public hunting opportunities that the organization takes part in is very exciting — I can’t wait to be a part of it,” Laux said. “There are many state-specific challenges associated with land acquisitions and easements, and I think my experience evaluating habitat and coordinating conservation and public access programs will lend itself well to that effort.”
About Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever make up the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. This community of more than 400,000 members, supporters and partners is dedicated to the protection of our uplands through habitat improvement, public access, education and advocacy. A network of 754 local chapters spread across North America determine how 100 percent of their locally raised funds are spent — the only national conservation organization that operates through this grassroots structure. Since its creation in 1982, the organization has dedicated more than $1 billion to 567,500 habitat projects benefiting 22 million acres.
Media Contact
Jared Wiklund
(651) 209-4953
jwiklund@pheasantsforever.org