U.S. sponsoring program to restore quail s habitat

1/3/2005

COLUMBUS A program to restore habitat for northern bobwhite quail is available to property owners in 35 Ohio counties, including three in northwest Ohio, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife said.

The program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture s Farm Service Agency Conservation Reserve Program, aims to create 250,000 acres of essential upland bird habitat in 35 states. Ohio s goal is 14,200 acres. Ohio s quail numbers dropped after the blizzards of 1977-78 and because of the loss of grassy fields to woods and row crops.

Local counties eligible to participate are Williams, Defiance, and Wyandot. Incentives include one-time signing bonuses of up to $100 an acre and annual rental payments for 10 years.