Quail Forever’s Covey Chapter in Illinois Reaches All-time Membership Record
Quail Forever 05.01.13
Quail Forever (QF), the national nonprofit devoted to quail conservation, has set an all-time membership record of 10,216 members located throughout the country. The leader in quail conservation efforts, Quail Forever reached this membership milestone thanks in part to the organization’s largest chapter banquet to date, held April 12th by Illinois’ Golden Triangle Quail Forever chapter, in which 518 people attended.
Launched in 2005 by Pheasants Forever (PF), Quail Forever boasts 130 local chapter affiliates across the country. In fact, in the past six months, Quail Forever has added 22 new chapters: California (5), Florida (1), Georgia (3), Illinois (1), Indiana (3), Missouri (1), North Carolina (1), Pennsylvania (1), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (1), Utah (1) and Virginia (2). Chapters utilize the organization’s unique model, which enable them to retain 100 percent control over how their locally-raised funds are spent. This local decision-making allows members to see the fruits of their chapter efforts in their own communities via habitat and youth education projects, while belonging to a national organization with a voice on federal conservation policy in Washington D.C.
“This milestone is not only significant for Quail Forever, but for quail restoration efforts nationwide. It signifies a growing trend of people actively involved with bringing back quail habitat,” said Howard K. Vincent, Quail Forever President and CEO. “From California to Florida, Quail Forever members have rallied behind our mission of quail habitat restoration and have put in countless hours to turn the tide. I urge all those who understand the importance of these birds to join us in bringing back this iconic game bird. Habitat help is needed more than ever before.”
Quail Forever’s largest banquet to date took place in Quincy, Illinois, with the Golden Triangle Quail Forever chapter pushing the organization to this new membership record with 238 new members and 518 attendees, which included spouses and children. Started in February of 2011, the Golden Triangle chapter has been a leader both in Illinois and across the country for their grassroots conservation efforts.
“The Golden Triangle chapter embodies the mission of Quail Forever; habitat restoration and getting youth involved in the outdoors,” says Tim Caughran, Quail Forever Regional Field Manager. “The chapter volunteers give 115% every day for quail and youth, and the community has noticed. 518 people attended their most recent banquet, donating their time and money to promoting our outdoor heritage.”
“There has been an amazing amount of demand for Quail Forever’s locally-driven conservation model since the organization’s beginnings, and our dedicated volunteers and chapters are employing this model to rally support for quail restoration efforts throughout the country,” noted Vincent.
For more information regarding Quail Forever, please contact Rehan Nana, Quail Forever Public Relations Specialist, at (651) 209-4973 or email Rehan.
Pheasants Forever launched Quail Forever in August of 2005 to address the continuing loss of habitat suitable for quail and the subsequent quail population decline. Bobwhite population losses over the last 25 years range from 60 to 90 percent across the country. The reason for the quail population plunge is simple - massive losses of habitat suitable for quail. There are five major factors leading to the losses of quail habitat; intensified farming and forestry practices, succession of grassland ecosystems to forests, overwhelming presence of exotic grasses like fescue that choke out wildlife, and urban sprawl.
