By JONATHAN SNYDER
A new Quail Forever chapter has been started with the goal of planting different wildlife habitats in Wells and other nearby counties.
The chapter members — Rick Johnloz, Heath Gentis, Eric Kiefer and Bruce Griewank — started this conservation effort because the wildlife areas they grew up seeing and enjoying are diminishing. Their mission is to purchase equipment needed to plant habitats for all animals, not just quail and pheasants, so that more of nature’s beauty can shine.
The founding members wanted to benefit their local habitats in Adams, Wells, Jay, Blackford and Grant counties. They chose to work with the Quail Forever organization because it allows over 90 percent of funds to be used directly for local projects.
The chapter promises to work with local land and farm owners to purchase areas that are not showing significant profit for their owners. They will be interacting with yield maps to find areas that the landowners would be willing to part with.
While the Quail Forever national website promotes hunting and conservation efforts, Kiefer mentioned that this chapter will focus on nature restoration, not quail hunting.
The first annual banquet is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Wells County 4-H Community Center. Many items have been donated for the banquet by local businesses and individuals. Fishing trips, beef, outdoor gear, ladies items, guns, a Terry Redlin painting and other Quail Forever items will be raffled and auctioned at the event.
The initial goal for the chapter is to purchase a no-till drill for habitat plantings in the area, which is estimated at $42,000. This drill will allow the group to plant small seeds like grass and clover to help jumpstart habitat growth.
In exchange for renting out the expo hall, the chapter will purchase physical assets like new chicken cages for 4-H to use.
As the chapter is still getting off the ground, they are looking to add new events to their calendar. Kiefer stated that the next event will be more youth oriented, but the date for it is unknown.
Johnloz, in a release to The News-Banner, stated that the initial banquet and fund raising has already secured matching funds of up to $20,000 from Lightsource Solar and Paddlefish Solar projects. Many other local businesses have also pitched in with sponsorships to secure the matching funds.
Kiefer mentioned that the chapter is still looking for various donated items for their banquet auction. Contact chapter Kiefer, the chapter president, at 260-273-1643, with inquiries.
jonathan@news-banner.com
