QF Access Award
Adams and Taylor County Chapters (Iowa)
The Adams and Taylor County dual chapters have made it their mission to provide public access to hunters in their local communities. Over the past year, each chapter has actively been working county-owned habitat projects that will be turned over for public hunting. In the coming year, nearly 100 acres of habitat will be open to public hunting, with management work in progress providing critical habitat for quail, pheasants, and other wildlife.
In addition to hosting outstanding banquets in 2022, the Adams County chapter has also made a big leap in supporting all of the organization’s state and national habitat initiatives. Taylor County has continued to be a driving force in support of the Legislation Action Fund and the importance of wildlife first legislation. Public lands in southern Iowa have a bright future ahead with the assistance of volunteers in Adams and Taylor County, Iowa.
QF Membership Award
Chesapeake Bay Chapter (Maryland and Delaware)
The Chesapeake Bay Quail Forever Chapter just celebrated their 4th anniversary. Since their launch, actively promoting membership has been a major focus for the chapter, including expansion of their coverage area into the state of Delaware—making this a unique dual-state chapter. Their purpose for expanding into new territories was simple, “advance membership growth to deliver more habitat for quail.”
In the Summer of 2022, they opened the doors on their largest banquet to date with attendees from Delaware, Virginia, and Maryland. This was accomplished with lots of hard work by the chapter volunteers actively promoting memberships through campaigns, chapter newsletters, social media, and face-to-face meetings. In addition to hosting a successful banquet, the chapter also hosted two Elite Member events that garnered more support for local habitat projects. The chapter has been instrumental in bringing state, federal and local conservation partners together to further habitat mission delivery for bobwhites on the Delmarva. In their short tenure, local volunteers have tripled the number of Quail Forever members in Maryland and doubled the number of Quail Forever members in Delaware.
QF Advocacy Award
Central Oklahoma 89er Chapter (Oklahoma)
The Central Oklahoma 89er Chapter is one of the first Quail Forever chapters in the nation, named in the pioneering spirit of the 1889 Oklahoma Land Run. The chapter has consistently supported the Legislative Action Fund and Path to the Uplands program for many years. More importantly, because the chapter is centrally located and minutes away from the state legislature, they have actively advocated Quail Forever’s mission with Oklahoma’s state agencies. Every call to action has brought forth a tremendous response from the chapter’s members, who’ve helped shape quality natural resources legislation in Oklahoma.
The chapter consistently advocates and supports habitat work in all corners of the state, and has enabled $503,610 worth of habitat, advocacy, public outreach, and education opportunities designated specifically for improving public lands. In their 16-year history, the chapter has supported the Farm Bill biologist partnership, conservation workshops, field days, pollinator projects, Learn to Hunt events, and Learn to Shoot clinics.
QF Education & Outreach Award
Ten Rivers Chapter (Missouri)
The Ten Rivers Chapter has worked hard to ensure their local communities are engaging in habitat conservation and education pertaining to the uplands. Their efforts have been focused on all aspects of the R3 program—working to recruit new hunters and engage existing sportsmen and sportswomen for the future. The chapter has accomplished this important work through annual Learn to Hunt events and Learn to Shoot clinics.
Chapter volunteers have delivered habitat in their local communities through the organization’s food plot program and pollinator initiative. Their contributions have also played a vital role in the success of the Missouri State Fund, as well as the national Legislative Action Fund and Path to the Uplands initiative. Ten Rivers is one of the longest standing chapters in the state.
QF Habitat Award
The Lone Star Chapter (Texas)
The Lone Star Chapter is one of the oldest Quail Forever chapters in the state of Texas. Local volunteers have partnered with Texas Parks & Wildlife to accomplish projects on five Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and are currently planning a project on a sixth WMA. Their support has allowed multiple habitat management practices to take place, benefitting wildlife as well as permit-holders for the state’s public hunting program.
When the need arose to provide funding for a Voluntary Public Access–Habitat Improvement Program (VPA-HIP) coordinator, the Lone Star Chapter stepped up for hunters. Through their support, the organization has created new huntable acres, all of which are available to receive habitat improvement incentives that will help maintain the quality of the properties.