Quail Conservation Award nomination deadline is Aug. 31

TSCRA Daily News Update, August 22, 2008

Quail Conservation Award nomination deadline is Aug. 31

The deadline for applications for the first annual Texas Wildlife Association Foundation (TWAF) Conservation Awards recognizing outstanding quail stewardship is set for Aug. 31.

Note that the application process involves a 2-page form, but only the first page is due now. A second, more extensive page may be turned in Sept. 15 and assistance is available in filling it out.

TWAF serves as a catalyst for conservation through innovative education and outreach ventures for Texans of all ages and backgrounds. The Foundation's latest venture, the TWAF Conservation Awards, illustrates TWAF's passion for private land stewardship.

Texas is a unique state, with unique ecosystems and a unique ownership structure. With 97 percent of rural, open space in private ownership, our state owes a debt of gratitude to the private land stewards that provide the management, conservation, and protection of our natural resources, for the benefit of society every day.

TWAF seeks to recognize some of these model land stewards through the TWAF Conservation Awards.

Six awards will be presented in two categories: habitat and lifetime achievement. In the habitat category, there will be three regional awards (Southern Quail, Northern Quail, and Desert Quail), and one restoration award. An overall habitat winner will then be selected from these four.

Secondly, one award will be presented in the lifetime achievement category. Visit the TWA website for more information on these awards at www.texas-wildlife.org.

The conservation awards are open to ranches, leases and individuals within Texas. Nomination forms (first page only) are due by Aug. 31, 2008, and the nomination forms are currently available on the Texas Wildlife Association website at www.texas-wildlife.org.

Self-nominations are encouraged.

Noted Texas quail experts from across the state will judge and rank the nomination forms to determine award finalists. The judging panel will then visit the top-ranking properties to conduct on-site interviews and habitat evaluations.

Recipients of the 2009 TWAF Conservation Awards will be honored at a banquet to be held April 16, 2009, at the Omni Hotel in Houston.

In 1991, leaders of the Texas Wildlife Association created the Texas Wildlife Association Foundation (TWAF) to help fund the organization's education and conservation initiatives. Currently, TWAF invests in projects that educate Texans on the positive effects of land stewardship, foster habitat and wildlife conservation, and preserve our hunting heritage.

TWAF supports programs that promote natural resource literacy in schools, through its Learning Across New Dimensions in Science (L.A.N.D.S.) initiative.

TWAF also supports youth hunting and youth wildlife leadership programs. In addition, TWAF trains land stewards and conservation leaders through workshops, field days and effective conservation collaborations.