ince its inception in 1981, Quail Unlimited has served a vital role as the leading non-government organization in quail conservation. During these 25 years, Quail Unlimited's national office and volunteer chapter network have won many battles in the war of dwindling quail populations and habitat due to broad-scale land use changes. One of the most important functions of Quail Unlimited has been, and continues to be, serving as the ambassador for quail and other wildlife dependent on early successional habitats. Quail are now seen in the conservation community as an indicator species or "poster-child" of early successional habitat and recently received recognition from Congress as a species of special concern.

Significant quail conservation opportunities exist at present; probably more than at any time in recent memory. Those opportunities exist within USDA Farm Bill programs such as the Habitat Buffers for Upland Birds, Conservation Reserve Program, Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Security Program and others. In addition, financial and technical support for wildlife programs is available from state and federal agencies such as the USDA Forest Service, DOI Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and various state wildlife agencies. Eleven years ago, Quail Unlimited was instrumental in the development of the Southeast Quail Study Group, an association of quail biologists and experts dedicated to cooperating and collaborating on pertinent quail research and management issues. Tremendous progress and advancements have been gained for the quail community from this group such as the development of the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI).

The Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI), approved by the directors of the Southeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in March 2002, has focused public and agency attention and effort on northern bobwhite restoration. As a result of the NBCI, numerous state wildlife agencies and their partners are developing step-down, state-based quail recovery plans that include cooperative efforts of many partners. An example is the Texas Quail Conservation Initiative: A Proactive Approach To Restoring Quail Populations By Improving Wildlife Habitat. The plan outlines in detail the factors responsible for declining quail numbers in Texas, and defines a plan "designed to coordinate quail efforts in Texas based on the best available science, policy, and stewardship" (Texas Quail Conservation Initiative: A Proactive Approach To Restoring Quail Populations By Improving Wildlife Habitat. 2005. Texas Parks and Wildlife. PWD RP W7000-1025. p 10).

In order to capitalize on the growing momentum and enthusiasm for bobwhite quail, Quail Unlimited is developing a proactive plan to ensure that the organization continues to serve the vitally necessary role as the only national, non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the restoration and management of wild quail. Many partners are looking to Quail Unlimited for support and direction. For the sake of the resource and the organization, we cannot shirk this responsibility.

The Challenge

Years of hard work have brought us to this pivotal time in the world of quail. However, the continual challenge is changing today's land-use patterns to benefit wild quail. We know how to bring quail back; the methods for doing so have been researched, applied, replicated and proven successful. Across the bobwhite's range there are properties that are managed for quail and now have populations greater than ever recorded. The methods for rejuvenating quail populations are predominantly habitat based. In some respects, that is the overriding problem because most of the land is privately owned, thus privately managed and in many instances, managed in ways not beneficial for quail. Therefore, we have advocated for many years that financial incentives be provided to landowners for the development and management of quail habitat. That is now happening, and more manpower is needed to ensure enrollment of acres into these conservation programs to increase quail habitat.

As the opportunities for the advancement of quail habitat increase, so must the organization dedicated to quail, Quail Unlimited. In addition, it is especially important that Quail Unlimited take a leadership role and continue to be seen as the leader in advocating the advance of America's native quail species. For this reason, Quail Unlimited proposes the following plan to expand the organization so that more acres of quail habitat will be put on the ground, and the promotion of quail management will continue through the various opportunities listed above. We call this plan "Flight To The Future".

Flight To The Future is a multilayered plan focused on—

1. The establishment of a dedicated conservation fund to finance habitat improvements and to provide matching challenge grant funds to local chapters and
2. The addition of QU staff to better serve the growing conservation responsibilities and commitment required of Quail Unlimited and
3. The development and management of an endowment fund in which a percentage of the principal is directed back to the habitat fund.

The plan is to be initiated as funds become available and in a priority recommended by the Quail Unlimited Board of Directors and management. Funding is proposed to come from Quail Unlimited members, friends of Quail Unlimited, QU chapters (voluntary contributions), corporate sponsors and others concerned with the future of wild quail. A concentrated focus will be the solicitation of grants and gifts from foundations, trusts, corporations and other possible sources.

Proposed Funding Levels From Prospective Donors
We propose that Quail Unlimited initiate and promote a 10-year, $10 million major campaign to fund Flight To The Future. Supporters will pledge to donate to the effort either as a one-time contribution or in annual contributions over 10 years. The ultimate goal is to achieve the equivalent of (1000)--$1000 per year contributors to Flight To The Future who pledge 10-year support to the program.

Donation levels are proposed at the following levels:

Bronze Covey - $1000 donation ($100 per year for 10 years)
Silver Covey - $5000 donation ($500 per year for 10 years)
Gold Covey - $10,000 donation ($1000 per year for 10 years)
Platinum Covey - $100,000 donation ($10,000 per year for 10 years)

These funding levels are similar to the previous donor levels used in the successful promotion and completion of the Quail Unlimited Building fund. Of course, any level of support regardless of whether it fits the above categories would be welcomed and acknowledged. Donors would be recognized in Quail Unlimited publicity efforts.

Specific Funding Initiatives For Flight To The Future

There are several priority initiatives recognized for the continued growth and development of Quail Unlimited. These can be divided into two major need categories: increased habitat funding for local chapters and other NBCI related projects and increased QU Field Support and administrative staff.

It is the responsibility of the BOD and management to establish priorities among the opportunities presented and to actively promote and solicit the funding for their approved initiatives outlined in this program.

It is suggested that priorities be established and a threshold level be established for each priority and a "trigger" attached to each initiative. In other words, when a minimum level of funding is achieved and only then will it "trigger" the desired action. The success of the plan will depend on developing the appropriate priorities, soliciting the financial support, pulling the "triggers" and reporting back to the stakeholders on the success of the program in a timely and credible method.

Following are the opportunities available in the Flight To The Future Program. It is the responsibility of the BOD and management to establish priorities among these opportunities and to actively promote and solicit funding necessary for their approved initiatives outlined in this program. A timetable also needs to be developed for implementation.

Filling RD Vacancies and Full-Time Ag Wildlife Services Director
It is recommended that additional Regional Directors be added to fill vacancies and to create new regions as follows: the hiring of Regional Directors to fill the existing vacancies and establish a South Central Regional position. The benefits of filling the existing RD vacancies are two fold, as QU will then have a full time Director of Chapter Development and full time Ag / Wildlife Services Director, providing greater awareness of QU in U.S. politics and farm policy in addition to providing increased service to the chapters.

Estimated cost is $75,000 each to restore the South Central Regional position to full time and fill the Midwest and Southeast vacancies for a total estimated cost to QU of $225,000.

We must also recognize the importance of growth and the necessity to expand chapter services to continue to receive the support of the chapter network. The next phase calls for the reorganization of existing Regions and the addition of new Regions or restoration of previous positions. Table 2 outlines the reorganization and addition of Regions. This reorganization will result in the addition of 5 new and restored Regions, thus providing more efficient and productive service for each region. Estimated cost in this phase is $75,000 per new Region for a total estimated cost to Quail Unlimited of $375,000 per year.

Challenge Fund
Initially, we recommend that the Quail Unlimited Habitat Challenge Fund, be approved and established by the QU Board of Directors. The fund is a special dedicated conservation habitat fund to be used as a source for chapters of matching funds for conservation projects addressing the goals and objectives of the NBCI. We propose to incrementally increase the amount in the Habitat Fund from an initial amount of $100,000 in year 1, to $200,000 in year 2, and $300,000 or more in succeeding years which will be in addition to grants such as Answer The Call and NFWF.

Chief Financial Officer and PR Director/Grants Writer
In conjunction with the initiation and solicitation of funds for the habitat fund, it is also recommended funding be provided for the staff positions of Chief Financial Officer and another position of PR Director/Grants Writer.

Estimated cost of each position would be $75,000 for a total of $150,000 in the first year and all succeeding years. These two staff positions would complement the solicitation and management of the habitat fund and provide additional accountability and creditability. With additional anticipated funding and accounting, there will be an increased need for a CFO to account for funds and a PR Director/Grants Writer to promote the program and seek grants and other available funds.

Habitat Teams
There are also opportunities for the creation of habitat teams to perform habitat management work on private lands, especially with the CRP program and mid-contract management. These programs have the potential to be self-supporting with a high probability of also providing a profit for the contractual work being done on the ground. Preliminary inquiries and responses from corporations, landowners and Quail Unlimited chapters have been very positive toward the formation and use of these Quail Unlimited Habitat teams. We would recommend the formation of at least 1 or 2 teams for the Midwest or Great Plains area as a top priority.

Technical Service Providers
Opportunities also exist within the USDA and some state agencies to fund cooperative, temporary field positions for delivery of Farm Bill conservation programs to landowners. The 2002 Farm Bill provides for funding of Technical Service Providers in cooperation with individuals, corporations, tribes, and non-profit organizations to assist in Farm Bill program delivery.

In most of these cooperative agreements, the sponsoring organization, such as Quail Unlimited, needs to only provide financial support for the individual's travel expenses and employee benefit package. Payments to the organization by the USDA and some state agencies will cover salaries. Each position may be somewhat different; however, partnering with agencies on these joint positions is an excellent method of leveraging our funds to fill field positions.

Between QU Habitat Teams and Technical Service Provides, we recommend that $25,000 be dedicated in the first year, $50,000 the second year and $75,000 each year afterwards.