Quail Forever Hires West Texas Biologist to Influence Upland Bird Populations on Private Lands

Quail Forever has announced the hiring of Ty Higginbotham as the organization’s new Range & Wildlife Conservationist in West Texas. Working alongside Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) professionals, Higginbotham will use his expertise to achieve Quail Forever’s mission of habitat conservation on private lands in the Lone Star State, working to positively influence quail and lesser prairie chicken populations.

Supported in part by NRCS, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Higginbotham will add much-needed capacity for private lands conservation assistance as part of the state’s Farm Bill Biologist Partnership. Commonly referred to as the “One Stop Shop” for anything conservation or wildlife-related on private lands, Quail Forever biologists possess the knowledge of federal, state, and local programs to assist landowners in finding the right program to meet their personal agriculture, wildlife, and land use goals. Since 2012, the program has impacted 692,130 acres for habitat conservation efforts throughout Texas, including technical assistance for 1,875 farmers, ranchers, and landowners.

“Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever is excited to welcome Ty Higginbotham to our growing team in West Texas,” stated Jordan Menge, lesser prairie chicken range coordinator for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. We look forward to his contributions with partners and producers to enhance grasslands in the region to the benefit of quail, lesser prairie chickens, and other wildlife species.”

Quail Forever Range & Wildlife Conservationist

Ty Higginbotham – Growing up in eastern Texas as an experienced hunter, fisherman and camper, Higginbotham has dedicated his young adult life to conservation. As a graduate from Texas A&M – Kingsville with a Bachelor of Science degree, Higginbotham spent his time working with TAMU-K as a researcher at the Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute where he learned about wildlife interactions with their habitats and the impacts they can have on diverse landscapes. Not only did Higginbotham participate in research, but he also spent time as a wildlife technician in South Texas then later as a soil/ range conservationist in eastern New Mexico. Higginbotham will use his wildlife conservation experience to improve habitats for quail, lesser prairie chicken, and other wildlife on public and private lands.

For more information about habitat improvements for quail, lesser prairie chickens and other wildlife in West Texas, contact Ty Higginbotham at thigginbotham@pheasantsforever.org or (936) 827-0555.

About Quail Forever

Quail Forever is a leading organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation efforts for the United States’ native quail species. Since its creation in 2005, Quail Forever has conducted more than 13,000 habitat projects across the nation benefitting quail and other wildlife. Along with its affiliate organization Pheasants Forever, it has committed more than $784 million to improve more than 17 million acres of wildlife habitat. Quail Forever has more than 16,000 members and 170 local chapters across the country. Both Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever are part of Pheasants Forever, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

Media Contact
Jared Wiklund
(651) 209-4953
jwiklund@pheasantsforever.org