Shelbyville is home to state's eighth Quail Forever chapter in five months

Hometown friends join together to create quail habitat         

[JAN. 14, 2006]  SHELBYVILLE -- A group of lifelong Shelbyville friends have joined together to form the state's eighth chapter of Quail Forever. The new group, to be called the Okaw Valley Chapter, will focus on improving habitat for quail in Shelby County. Illinois quail hunters have led the way for Quail Forever since the organization's launch on Aug. 10, 2005. In fact, eight of the organization's first 27 chapters have been formed in Illinois. The new Shelby County chapter joins Bond, Hamilton, Jackson, Macoupin, Marion, Menard and Morgan counties as homes to Quail Forever.

"I grew up in Shelbyville, and it was real important to me to start a Quail Forever chapter here, where I learned to quail hunt," explained Tim Caughran, regional wildlife biologist for Quail Forever in Illinois. "While home for Thanksgiving, I brought up the idea of forming a QF chapter to my old high school buddies. We talked about doing something good for quail and quail hunters in our hometown. By Christmas, we all agreed that it was time to get started to ensure our future kids would enjoy days chasing quail like we have had together."

Caughran, who recently moved back to Illinois after a promotion to the regional wildlife biologist post for Pheasants Forever, will serve as the new chapter's adviser. Leading the group are Ralph Boley, president; Eric Garvin, treasurer; Brad Compton, habitat; and Daphanie Boley, youth education. However, the chapter is looking for additional participation from Shelby County residents.

"This will be a community effort," added Ralph Boley. "Landowners, farmers, hunters -- we need to come together to have an impact on future quail populations. If you're a passionate quail conservationist and live in Shelby County, then we want you. You can be a part of the habitat solution through this new chapter."

Founded by Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever applies the same successful model of empowering local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent 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 grass-roots structure. As a result, members see the fruits of their conservation efforts in their own communities, while belonging to a national organization with a broader voice in Washington, D.C., on federal conservation policy.

The next meeting for the Okaw Valley Chapter of Quail Forever will be in late January. The public and media will be encouraged to attend. For more information about the meeting and the new chapter, please contact Ralph Boley at [phone].

To learn more about starting a Quail Forever chapter in Illinois, contact Tim Caughran at [phone] or [e-mail], or contact the Quail Forever national office toll-free at [phone] or via e-mail to [e-mail].

Quail Forever is a national nonprofit conservation organization comprised of local chapters dedicated to the protection and enhancement of quail and other wildlife populations in North America. The organization's mission is accomplished through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, education and conservation advocacy. For additional information, visit www.quailforever.org.

[Quail Forever news release]