In southeastern Arizona, Quail Forever staffer Gerry Berthelette is working with a multitude of stakeholders to help restore habitat connectivity to a region featuring some of the highest levels of biodiversity on the planet - The Madrean Sky Islands. A region of mountain ranges spanning several states and two countries, the Sky Islands ecoregion is aptly named for the 55 pine and oak-studded mountains varying between 3-10K feet in elevation and connected by incredibly vast grasslands. But these landscapes are under attack. Mesquite trees have adapted to invading desert landscapes and are aided by lengthy tap roots that reach deep underground, soaking up groundwater not accessible to plants and grasses with shallower root systems. They define the phrase “water hog.” And once established, mesquites shade out native species at ground-level revealing erosion issues, take a toll on water reserves for the desert Southwest, and break the connectivity of grasslands between Sky Islands. The work being done across public and private lands to restore mesquite-invaded grasslands is through mechanical “grubbing,” a selective technique to completely remove the tree – taproot and all – from the ground. This method has proven to have an immediate and long-lasting positive effect on the landscape by deliberately targeting each individual tree, as opposed to other broad-spectrum treatments like prescribed fire. Learn more about the critical work being done through the Southern Arizona Grassland Initiative at the 🔗 link below.

On The Wing Podcast Ep. 215: Talking Bird Dogs With Trampled By Turtle’s Dave Simonett, is Live! Head to the 🔗 link below to listen now! Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by Dave Simonett, lead singer of the band Trampled by Turtles, and Mike Wieben, head dog trainer at Dokken’s Oak Ridge Kennels, for a conversation about Simonett’s two bird dogs. The conversation starts with a focus on Hrbek, Simonett’s Australian shepherd mix breed rescue, then transitions to Maxon, Simonett’s new German wirehaired puppy currently being trained by Wieben. Sincerest THANK YOU to SportDOG Brand for sponsoring this episode of On the Wing podcast. Episode Highlights: - Simonett discusses his relatively new love for bird hunting and how it has reprioritized his autumn calendar and opened his eyes to the value of public lands. The guys also compare the artistry of songwriting with the artistry of training a dog to reach its full potential as a bird dog. - Simonett also talks about his growing outdoors writing endeavors with recent stories in Garden & Gun magazine and Tom Beckbe’s Field Journal. Sign up for Simonett’s new newsletter, GOOD RECORD, at his website DeadManWinter.com. https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/Podcast-Ep-215-Talking-Bird-Dogs-with-Trampled-By-Turtle’s-Dave-Simonett.aspx

With discussions around the 2023 Farm Bill continuing to heat up, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever has been busy on Capitol Hill working with partners and champions to advance our policy priorities. Read more at the 🔗 link below!

As we continue to celebrate the program’s 20th anniversary, the number of acres impacted by Farm Bill biologist’s across the country is about to surpass 15 million. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s team of 268 FBB’s are adding to that number every day, addressing habitat needs from the bobwhite pine savannas of the Coastal Plains to the sage steppe of the American West. While those 15 million acres are thanks in large part to the long-tenured employees who pioneered the FBB program, some amazing work is also being done across the country by the next generation, who will continue to drive the program in the years and decades to come. “For 20 years our team of Farm Bill Biologists have been leading the way for conservation from South Dakota to Alabama to Oregon,” said Rachel Bush, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s private lands conservation programs manager. “And we have no intentions of slowing down, we’re working hard to develop the next generation of natural resources leaders.” Let’s look ahead at the future of the Fam Bill biologist program by highlighting some of the best new minds in the field at the 🔗 link below! https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Quail-Forever/The-Next-20-Years.aspx?

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are proud to announce the hiring of Ashley Chance as the organization’s hunting heritage program manager. In her new role, Chance will focus on leadership, coordination, and support of nationwide programs to recruit, retain & reactivate (R3) hunting conservationists through strategic, outcome-based initiatives. “Ashley has worked in wildlife conservation for more than a decade and understands the value that a vibrant hunting community plays in making sure nature remains relevant in a technological society,” said Colby Kerber, Pheasants Forever’s director of conservation education programs. “Her passion for the uplands and America’s hunting heritage was evident throughout the interview process. I’m confident she will build upon our existing Path to the Uplands initiatives to continue elevating Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever as a national leader in the space of hunting heritage.” Learn more about Ashley and her new role as Hunting Heritage Program Manager at the 🔗 link below.

“Scissortails are among the first summer migrants to return to the plains. Their breathtaking skyborne antics bring more joy to me with each passing spring as I feel the tug of warming earth, lingering daylight, and thoughts of long, restless walks on a prairie I have all to myself. Just the birds, the sky, and my own thoughts. And, of course, the music. Because a springtime walk on the prairie is an aural wonder, a concert that requires only the purchase of time and appreciation and memory. Each song that reaches my ear takes me somewhere, as all good music does. this summer, as dreams of autumn still crowd your head, try taking a long lonely, listening walk across your favorite part of the uplands; free of dog, training pistol, or agenda. Hear what the land is saying in its music. If you let it, it’ll teach you a song.” Read the full article "For the Love of Quail: The Music of the Uplands" by QF Journal Editor Chad Love, at the 🔗 link below.