The Quail Forever team is proud to be a part of Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE). If you’re in the Lowcountry this weekend come see us in the Quail Village at Brittlebank Park, in Charleston, South Carolina. https://www.sewe.com

This year, for the first time, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever will recognize a national “Volunteer of the Year.” The award celebrates the very best the organization has to offer — the members and volunteers who optimize the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever mission, who seek to protect and grow our wildlife habitat, and who help ensure our heritage continues for generations to come. We have chosen eight finalists (Four Pheasants Forever and four Quail Forever) for the award. The winner will be announced at the upcoming National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic, which runs March 1-3 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Over the course of the next four weeks we’ll get to know each finalist, and celebrate their accomplishments in the world of habitat conservation. The next volunteer we’ll highlight is Edward Beck, from the Chesapeake Bay Chapter of Quail Forever in Maryland. Learn more about Edward and his dedication as a volunteer at the link below.

In celebration of Black History Month, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever seeks to highlight Black individuals who, against historical odds, became champions for the habitat and wild places we cherish. Their contributions have shaped the landscapes we hunt for the better. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are devoted to making the uplands accessible to all people. In that process we aim to expand, educate, and engage the entirety of the upland conservation community. Pictured below in order: CHARLES YOUNG (1864-1922): In 1903, Young became the superintendent of Sequoia and General Grant national parks (who boast healthy populations of valley quail). During his tenure as superintendent, Young focused on enforcing park regulations, preventing illegal logging, grazing, and poaching, and fostering an appreciation for the parks’ ecological significance. SOLOMAN BROWN (1829-1906): His keen observations and love for nature paved the way for a groundbreaking career in conservation. He would eventually become the first Black employee of the Smithsonian Institute where he focused on natural history collections, and played a pivotal role in cataloging and preserving specimens. GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER (1864-1943): Born into slavery in Diamond Grove, Missouri, George Washington Carver rose to become one of the most prominent Black scientists of the 20th century. Renowned for his contributions to agriculture, George Washington Carver was not only a botanist and inventor but also a staunch advocate for sustainable farming practices. Learn more about these three men and their contributions to habitat and wild places at the link below. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Celebrating-Black-History-Month-Pioneers-of-Conservation.aspx