Workshop to address quail restoration

Helping landowners and others understand reduced quail habitat in the Blackland Prairies and Post Oak Savanna of Texas and how they might be restored is the focus of the Texas Quail Study Group workshop.

The workshop will take place Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 in Cat Spring, about one hour west of Houston.

According to Dr. Jim Gallagher, Texas AgriLife Extension Service wildlife specialist based in Uvalde and workshop presenter, Washington County and the surrounding area were once billed as "the quail capitol of Texas." However, over the past century, much of the quail habitat has been converted to other uses and quail populations in the region have plummeted.

"We want to give folks a better understanding of what kind of landscape quail require and examine the things that have been done to try to restore their habitat and populations," Gallagher said.

The workshop begins Sept. 30 with a full-day session at the Cat Spring Ag Society Hall, 13035 Hall Road. Discussion topics include quail habitat and population management and restoration techniques, economic considerations in restoration, and landowner co-operation in quail restoration.

There will be a half-day field session on Oct. 1, during which participants will look at habitat restoration techniques on the ground and go through a habitat evaluation exercise.

Registration is $50 by Sept. 14 and $75 thereafter, and includes two meals, refreshments and a copy of the proceedings. A registration form is available from the Texas Wildlife Association at http://www.texas-wildlife.org/files/TQSG_catspring_2009.pdf.

For more information, contact Gallagher at 830-278-9151 or JFGallagher@ag.tamu.edu, or Justin Dreibelbis at 512-551-3004 or jdreibelbis@texas-wildlife.org.