By Andi Anderson
Indiana's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) celebrated another successful year for its Northern Bobwhite Quail program. The program, funded through partnerships, helps landowners improve wildlife habitat for the declining bobwhite quail population.
In fiscal year 2023, the program provided over $581,000 to support conservation efforts on 1,111 acres of private land. These efforts not only benefit bobwhite quail but also improve soil health and capture carbon emissions. While funding for fiscal year 2024 is depleted, NRCS encourages landowners to start planning for future opportunities.
"Our program demonstrates the power of collaboration in wildlife conservation," said Damarys Mortenson, NRCS State Conservationist. "Partnerships with organizations like Pheasants Forever and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources are crucial to this initiative's success."
Historically found throughout Indiana, bobwhite quail depend on specific habitats like grasslands and shrublands. However, land-use changes and development have caused their numbers to plummet by over 80% in the past 60 years.
The NRCS program offers technical and financial assistance to landowners to create early successional habitat, critical for bobwhite survival. This habitat provides food and shelter for the birds, promoting their population growth.
Indiana offers additional programs like the Grasslands for Gamebirds and Songbirds and the Conservation Reserve Program SAFE for Bobwhite, providing further resources for landowners. These programs have led to various conservation efforts on private lands, including planting native vegetation and managing brush to create healthy habitats.
Although funding for the current fiscal year is unavailable, NRCS anticipates future opportunities in 2025. Landowners interested in future support for bobwhite quail conservation should contact their local NRCS biologist to begin planning. By working together, landowners, conservation organizations, and NRCS can help restore bobwhite quail populations in Indiana. You can find your local USDA Service Center by visiting https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator.
More information about the Working for Wildlife Northern Bobwhite Quail program is available by visiting https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/working-lands-for-wildlife/northern-bobwhite.
Photo Credit: usda-nrcs
Categories: Indiana, Government & Policy