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Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation

Buffalo, Missouri- -(Ammoland.com)- “There are days when you can really understand what wildlife habitat is all about because you can see it happening.

When you can link it to community service and support, well, it’s a home run” proclaims Craig Alderman, Executive Director of the Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF).

“Like all our involved landowners we have a long term habitat plan to establish a model display area here at our national headquarters which includes the establishment of a 50 acre Oak Savannah.

That is not easily done as the stem count, number of trees per acre is very high so it is a massive undertaking. Because of the high volume of oaks to be removed, we completed phase 1 with about 10 acres and had 80 to 85 % of all trees thinned out. It left a significant amount of good wood on the ground and a true task of immediate cleanup” explains Alderman.

On New Year’s Eve morning at 7 AM, in a joint effort with the Dallas County Emergency Recovery Unit, church volunteers, QUWF members and Louisburg Firefighters, 55 total, with 30 chain saws, a logging truck, 6 each 16 foot trailers, 4 splitters, a dozer and loader nearly 40 cords of donated firewood was removed for a total of approximately 60 cords of prime oak wood from phase 1.

“Because of QUWF, we are able to provide firewood to needy families in the area, cut split and delivered” stated Kyle Schwanke, Coordinator of the Unit.

“This is a huge benefit to our community and thanks to the planned fire roads the donated firewood is easily accessible, which is very good for our volunteers. Further, we are helping create a wonderful wildlife showcase area. With the quail all ready back on this property now we are helping address a ruff grouse opportunity as well” points out Kyle.

“We will assist QUWF in the subsequent phases to remove firewood, help clean up limbs and branches and burn the brush piles, this is a huge win-win for all of us and great for our volunteers to see” observes Kyle “Now we took it up a notch as we help neighbors and generations of wildlife through habitat”.

5 loads of firewood were delivered that day to families who had run out of wood through a local Ministry managing the program. Several trailer loads of logs had previously been taken by local farmers needing firewood as well.

“None of this would be possible without the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Wildlife Habitat Incentive program, Robert Ziehmer, Director working through the local Buffalo Bob Chapter which provides cost share to get the trees cut mechanically. Because of the huge volume manual removal is nearly unthinkable, but with a tree sheer, dedicated volunteers and a dedication not only to wildlife but to the community, a wonderful result came to pass on New Year’s Eve 2011″ states Craig.

Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation, Inc., a tax exempt 501(c)(3) conservation organization, serves its members and chapters nationwide, providing a strong local source of habitat focus on quail and upland wildlife and population recovery. Millions of dollars of habitat work have been completed by its members over the years on thousands of acres of both private and public lands, now that work continues with a renewed vitality. Our chapters from coast to coast, provide the grass roots, local habitat work that is making a difference each and every day. For more information or to join QUWF please visit our website at www.quwf.net.

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Sage Grouse

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Cheyenne, Wy --(Ammoland.com)- Secretary Of The Interior Ken Salazar And Wyoming Governor Matt Mead Today Convened A Meeting With Representatives From Eight Western States To Discuss Ongoing Efforts To Conserve The Greater Sage-Grouse And Identify Next Steps In Implementing A Landscape Level Strategy That Will Benefit The Species While Maintaining A Robust Economy In The West.

Participants Discussed Current Strategies, Challenges, And Areas Of Collaboration For Local, State, And Federal Governments To Proactively Address The Needs Of The Species To Ensure Its Long-Term Health And Stability.

During The Meeting, The Attendees Discussed Developing A New Working Agreement That Puts In Place Conservation Actions And Commitments To Meaningfully Address Both The Threats To The Survival Of The Greater Sage-Grouse And The Need Of Westerners To Enjoy Multiple Uses Of Their Land And Have Reasonable Predictability Regarding Regulatory Requirements.

“Sagebrush Habitat, With Its Open Spaces, Wildlife, And Heritage, Is Iconic To The West And Is At The Root Of Many Of Our Proud Traditions,” Salazar Said. “Protecting The Health Of This Land And Its Wildlife, While Also Facilitating Energy And Other Development In The Right Ways And The Right Places, Is Going To Take Strong, Well-Coordinated, Comprehensive Action By Leaders At All Levels. Today’S Meeting Is A Milestone In Our Efforts To Accelerate And Expand The Smart, Ladscape-Scale Approaches That Are Already Underway In Many Places.”

From Wyoming’S Sage Grouse Initiative Developed Under The Leadership Of Governor Mead To The Bureau Of Land Management’S National Greater Sage-Grouse Planning Strategy ( Http://Www.Blm.Gov/Wo/St/En/Prog/More/Sagegrouse.Html), To The Ongoing Implementation Of The Western Association Of Fish And Wildlife Agencies Comprehensive Strategy, Progress Is Being Made To Protect The Species While Ensuring That Energy Production, Recreational Access And Other Uses Of Federal Lands Continue.

“The Goal Of The Endangered Species Act Is Not To Add To The List, But To Protect The Species So They Never Make It To The Endangered Species List,” Governor Mead Said. “Partnering With Private Industry, Agriculture And The Federal Government Has Allowed Us To Balance Conservation Of The Sage-Grouse With Development And Job Creation While Keeping The Bird From Being Listed.”

A Large Ground-Dwelling Bird Predominantly Found In The West, The Decline Of The Sage-Grouse Population Has Been A Result Of Primary Threats Such As Habitat Loss And Fragmentation Due To Energy Development, Wildfire, And Invasive Plant Species. Based On A 12-Month Status Review Pursuant To The Endangered Species Act, The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Determined That The Listing Of The Species Was Warranted, But Precluded By Higher Priorities. For A Fws Fact Sheet On The Greater Sage-Grouse, Please Click Here: Http://Www.Fws.Gov/Mountain-Prairie/Species/Birds/Sagegrouse/Greatersagegrousefactsheet2011.Pdf .

Meeting Participants Included: Bob Abbey, Bureau Of Land Management Director; Dan Ashe, U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service Director; Marlene Finley, U.S. Forest Service Deputy Regional Forester; Dave White, Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief, As Well As Senior Representatives From The States Of Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, And Wyoming.

Click Here Http://Www.Doi.Gov/News/Photos/Photo-Of-The-Week-December-2011.Cfm For A Picture From Today’S Meeting.

About:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

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