Silver Creek Quail Forever and Alan Justice Honored with Illinois Pheasants Forever Awards
Pheasants Forever 03.22.12
Illinois Pheasants Forever and Quail Foreverrecognized chapters and individuals from across the state for their wildlife habitat conservation efforts at the organizations’ recent state convention. The Silver Creek Quail Forever chapter was named the Illinois Chapter of the Year, and Alan Justice was named the Illinois Volunteer of the Year.
“This year’s state meeting was a fine showcase of our chapters and volunteers working to accomplish great things for Illinois’ outdoor culture,” says Dick Wyatt, Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) Northern Illinois Regional Representative, “Illinois Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever improved over 15,000 acres for wildlife in 2011. Those acres are a direct result of our members, volunteers and partners working together to further the organizations’ habitat mission.”
The event took place at the Par-A-Dice Hotel & Convention Center located in East Peoria, Ill. In attendance were various guest speakers, including Pheasants Forever President & CEO Howard Vincent. Following the day’s round-table discussions and educational break-out sessions, the awards banquet and live auction took place to celebrate a successful 2011 for “The Habitat Organization.”
Illinois Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Chapter Awards
The Silver Creek Quail Forever chapter was recognized as the Illinois Chapter of the Year. The chapter worked with many local partners and donors to complete habitat improvement near the chapter’s headquarters of Collinsville, Illinois. These improvements are a much needed welcome for the state’s bobwhite quail populations, which have suffered in recent years due to erratic weather patterns.
Chapters & individuals from across the state were recognized for their efforts in habitat conservation, youth education and their dedication to the organizations’ mission. Those chapters receiving recognition were: “Chapter of the Year” – Silver Creek QF • “Rookie Chapter of the Year” – Golden Triangle QF • “Banquet of the Year” – Winnebago County PF • “Conservation Excellence” – $250K Spent on Habitat – McHenry County PF and Rock Island/Henry PF • “Conservation Excellence” – $500K Spent on Habitat – Carroll County PF and Illinois River Valley PF • “Leopold Leaders” Education in Schools – Vermilion County PF • “No Child Left Indoors Initiative” – Golden Triangle QF, Kishwaukee PF, and Montgomery County PF.
Illinois Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Volunteer Awards
While Illinois has many dedicated individuals and partners supporting the organizations’ habitat mission, the following were recognized as leaders in their respective categories: “Volunteer of the Year” – Alan Justice, Tri City QF • “Conservation Partner” – Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) • “Conservation Educator” – Fred Magers, Illinois Pioneer PF • “Wildlife Professional” – Dr. Brian Anderson, Director of Illinois Natural History Survey • “Dedication Awards” – Matt Homan, Lincoln Heritage PF; Brad Ozee, Montgomery County PF; and Cherly Innes, Douglas County PF • “Long Spur Society Awards” – Dennis Clatterbuck, Iroquois County PF; Glenn Bishop, Montgomery County PF; Tom Rogers, Dewitt County PF; Jim Ash, Lincolnland QF; Gene Swanson – Tallgrass PF.
For more information on Pheasants Forever or Quail Forever in northern Illinois, please contact Dick Wyatt at (217) 733-2173 / Email Dick. For more information on Pheasants Forever or Quail Forever in southern Illinois, please contact Tim Caughran, Pheasants Forever Regional Wildlife Biologist, at (618) 467-2586 / Email Tim.
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.
