Nation’s Capital Has New Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Chapter
Pheasants Forever 10.17.13
Our nation’s capital is now home to the newest chapter of Pheasants Forever (PF). Known as the Washington, D.C. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Chapter, the group is the first chapter to service the D.C. area for “The Habitat Organization.” Chapter leaders plan to focus their efforts on raising funds for habitat improvements, both locally and throughout the country, while acting as a grassroots support team for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.
“Washington, D.C. is where the major conservation decisions for our country are made, and in addition to our governmental affairs team, I am proud we now have local residents who recognize and want to make sure people speak up for conservation and the health of our nation’s natural resources,” says Shon Robbins, Pheasants Forever regional representative. “These members are dedicated, experienced in conservation and are ready to make an impact, so I am anxious to see what they will accomplish.”
The chapter is led by newly-elected president Todd Ewell, who noted the chapter’s primary goal is to raise funds for habitat through Pheasants Forever’s unique chapter model.
A Washington D.C. attorney, Ewell was raised in an outdoor-oriented family in Arkansas. He spent his summers at his grandparents’ camp outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, learning to fish and appreciate the outdoors. Ewell’s father-in-law, a South Dakota resident, was responsible for introducing him to pheasant hunting and Pheasants Forever. “Being from Arkansas, I was familiar with other conservation organizations, but once I learned about Pheasants Forever, their local model and what they accomplished, I wanted to bring awareness to their mission,” said Ewell.
“In addition, we hope to support Dave Nomsen, Pheasants Forever vice president of governmental affairs, with his team’s work in passing conservation measures that benefit our nation’s water quality, air quality and ecosystems,” says Ewell.
The chapter plans to hold a fundraising banquet this upcoming spring. With funds from that banquet, the chapter will support quail habitat projects locally and other habitat projects throughout the country. The Washington, D.C. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Chapter has also elected Michael Armao of Washington, D.C. as chapter treasurer.
The chapter is actively seeking interested participants and volunteers. For more information, please contact Todd Ewell at (202) 486-2607 or email Todd. For more information on “The Habitat Organization” in Washington, D.C., please contact Shon Robbins at (570) 683-6115 or email Shon.
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.
