QUWF Reports Wildlife Habitat Impact for 2021-2022 YTD:
September 26, 2022

Buffalo, MO: Known for its focus on “turning-the-dirt”, at the grass roots, landowner level QUWF is pleased to report another significant year for wildlife habitat. “Nearly 325,000 acres of private lands were worked, hands on work the old-fashioned way with equipment, chainsaws and sweat” states Craig Alderman of QUWF. “Over 100,000 acres were in heavy timber stand improvement (TSI), with the balance in combined grassland successional management. A significant fact, QUWF works with military veteran landowners and their families as a point of focus across the U.S. “Evasive Specie control of weeds such as Johnson Grass, Serecia Lespedeza and Thistle are becoming a major effort because of the exceptionally high cost of chemicals and the very scarce availability” States Nick Prough, Chief Wildlife Biologist. “Landowners are trying to catch up from the COVID impact which stopped some work completely” Prough points out.

Acres impacted by the work now exceed 6.5 million acres with a value in the multi-millions of dollars and that does not include the high desert guzzlers in the west impacting another 120,000 acres. QUWF volunteer crews install or rehabilitate guzzlers which gather an average of about 800 gallons of water from rainfall. “Where we experience very dry conditions like this year, our chapter and its volunteers obtained permission to haul water to the guzzlers with their QUWF water truck and refill them. The guzzlers provide both small game and large game watering areas” explains Nick Prough.

“Additionally, we are working with 50 large ranches and the Governor in Wyoming for the restoration of the wild sage grouse, experiencing a noticeable decline. That acreage exceeds 2.5 million with some of the ranches reaching over 200,000 acres in size. 20 nesting areas were hand marked/flagged and physically examined by myself for monitoring” states Nick Prough. 20 years of sage grouse nesting site data was manually converted by QUWF to incorporate into the state’s current software by Prough. “On some of the ranches, you can drive nearly a full day to get back to the nesting sites, the trust between the landowners and QUWF was and is key to any successful habitat work” Prough observed.

QUWF has recently partnered with the American Falconry Conservancy (AFC) to again, enhance wildlife habitat on private lands and educate all on the historic sport with raptors.

About QUWF and the AFC:

The Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation (QUWF), is the only Veteran founded and managed national conservation organization in the U.S., and the only multi-specie and clean stream national organization including youth fishing teams, based in Missouri. QUWF “turns-the-dirt™” locally and nationally focusing on private landowners with chapters that manage and control their own funds. To join QUWF, get involved or open a chapter locally for upland wildlife and habitat restoration/ clean streams or the new youth fishing teams, visit our web site at www.quwf.net or email ADMIN@quwf.net. QUWF is a proud Conservation Partner of the Bass Pro Shop Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, a member of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and an Endowment Partner with the College of the Ozarks. The AFC and its members are dedicated to the historical sport of falconry and the preservation of upland wildlife habitat and populations. Visit our website at www.falconryconservancy.org for more information.

“Preserve the Land and Clean Streams….Build the Habitat….Hunt and Fish for Generations” with QUWF™ and the AFC™.