2007 Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative Announces Award for Group Achievement

At the North American Willife and Natural Resource Conference in Portland, Oregon, it was announced that in recognition of outstanding action and involvement by an agency, organization or group in help promote and implement the Northern Bobwhite Quail Consewrvation Initiative, the 2007 NBCI Achievment Award was presented to the Missouri Department of Conservation - John Hoskins, Director.

Edgefield, SC (PRWEB) March 23, 2007 -- At the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, held in Portland Oregon this week, Quail Unlimited, in cooperation with the Southeast Quail Study Group, recognized one group for outstanding action in implementing and promoting the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI). The NBCI was established to develop a quantitative habitat-oriented plan to restore bobwhites to the density they enjoyed during the baseline year of 1980. "The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) under the direction of John Hoskins, is a strong leader in natural resource management and the preservation of wildlife habitat on both public and private lands and truly earns this prestigious award. The MDC fosters strong conservation partnerships with USDA agencies, state and federal organizations, the Southeast Quail Study Group, Quail Unlimited and its private land owners throughout the Show Me State" states Rocky Evans, President of Quail Unlimited.

"Missouri was one of the first states to establish a non-political commission to oversee natural resource conservation and management, and in 1976 established a 1/8 of 1% sales tax by initiative petition, to support its conservation efforts. The MDC, through its dedicated staff at all levels is a key leader for the habitat objectives of the NBCI and communicates the message to private land owners through it's Private Land Conservationists," said Evans.

When the MDC updated its 10 year "Quail Plan", it developed a "Strategic Guidance for Northern Bobwhite Restoration" linked to the NBCI strategies, stepping down the habitat goals to the county level in 8 of its administrative regions, establishing Quail Emphasis and Focus Areas. Building on its dedication, the MDC created and staffed an Upland Coordinator position that serves as the state NBCI coordinator, established partnership grants adding buffer coordinators, developed wildlife habitat examples on demonstration farms and created with QU the Missouri Quail Academy for high school students and teachers. Truly focused on its private land owners, representing 93% of all the lands in Missouri, the MDC established the Missouri Quail Habitat Initiative (QHI) for habitat improvement on private lands working with Quail Unlimited.

QU, through its dedicated chapter members coast to coast, is leading the charge to restore the natural habitat of wild quail, working with private landowners as well as state and federal agencies across the country with unprecedented partnerships. By putting on local events and fundraisers, QU chapters raise conservation dollars that are then used for on the ground projects in their area.

"This group of dedicated professionals is leading the way for innovative programs, creative thinking and most of all, the bobwhite and other upland game is seeing the benefits across the state. It is with great pleasure that Quail Unlimited and all its dedicated national membership recognize the Missouri Department of Conservation and John Hoskins for their initiative and leadership in bobwhite restoration efforts with this award," emphasized Evans.

Quail Unlimited (QU) is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the restoration of habitat for wild quail. Its almost 300 chapters nationwide raise local project dollars for on-the-ground projects, including private and public land management with banquets, auctions, sporting clay events and more. QU has a highly trained staff of biologists, state and regional directors and dedicated members that work with private landowners and state and federal agencies to restore quail populations. In 2005, Quail Unlimited chapters and partners invested over $2.2 million dollars in quail habitat improvements. For more information on QU, the EXPO and membership go to the website at www.qu.org .

Contact:
Craig A. Alderman, Director of Marketing
Quail Unlimited
Ph: (417)-345-5960

America's Leader in Quail Conservation ™
Quail Unlimited, P.O. Box 610, Edgefield, SC 29824-0610

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