Lincoln, Neb. - Quail hunters and pointing dog enthusiasts from Lancaster County, Nebraska gathered on Tuesday night to form the state's first chapter of Quail Forever (QF). The new chapter, to be called the Husker Covey Chapter of QF, plans to work on habitat projects beneficial to quail and other wildlife in Lancaster County and the surrounding area. The new chapter plans to hold their next meeting on Tuesday, December 6th. The public and media are invited to attend.

QF was founded in August of this year by Pheasants Forever (PF). Keith Brus, regional wildlife biologist for both organizations says that Lancaster County residents have a history of conservation leadership. "Year in and year out the Cornhusker Pheasants Forever Chapter, which is based here in Lincoln, is one of the most successful PF chapters in the country. With nearly 1,000 PF members supporting conservation through the local Pheasants Forever chapter, it is no surprise that Lancaster County is leading the way for quail conservation in the state."

QF applies the successful Pheasants Forever model of empowering local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100% of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever are the only national conservation organizations that operate through this truly grassroots structure. The new Nebraska chapter becomes the 16th QF chapter nationwide since the organization was formed. There are currently five chapters in Illinois, two in Tennessee, and one each in Alabama, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas.

"I've seen the incredible amount of habitat work PF has accomplished here and felt compelled to be a part of the start of similar efforts focused on quail," explains Dale Taylor, the chapter's newly elected president and a professional quail-dog trainer. "Our quail habitat efforts aren't going to be much different than PF's habitat projects. What will be different is the added eyeballs we'll turn onto conservation through the quail name. There are certainly Nebraskans out there more devoted to quail than pheasants. Those are the people this chapter is going to engage."

"We are excited about the new Quail Forever chapter," reports Aaron Gardner, president of the Cornhusker PF Chapter. "They are on our team and they'll definitely open up some eyes we haven't reached through the pheasants name. At the end of the day, that means more habitat projects benefiting pheasants, quail, and a whole variety of wildlife."

The chapter plans to hold their next meeting at the Cortland Bar & Grill in Cortland on Tuesday, December 6th at 6PM. The public and media are invited to attend and learn more about the new chapter and organization. To RSVP, or for more information about the meeting, please contact Dale Taylor at (402)787-2048 or via email at premiergundogs@yahoo.com. To learn more about starting a QF or PF chapter in Nebraska, contact Keith Brus at (308)754-4815 or via email at keith_brus@direcway.com. Or, contact the PF/QF national office toll free at (866)457-8245 or via email at contact@quailforever.org.

QF is a national non-profit conservation organization that is comprised of local chapters dedicated to the protection and enhancement of quail and other wildlife populations in North America. The QF mission is accomplished through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, education, and conservation advocacy.

Media Contact:
Bob St.Pierre
(866)457-8245