The Northeast Georgia Chapter of Quail Unlimited has initiated a scholarship endowment to support quail research at the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. The idea was developed by former chapter president Wink McWhorter about a year ago.

Present chapter President Rex Johnson and the Secretary David Jennings kicked off the $25,000 endowment by presenting a check for $10,000 to Mary McCormack, Development Director, for the Warnell School.

Jennings described the initiative as part of the commitment of the NE Georgia chapter to help educate and train future gamebird biologists and formalize the chapter’s working relationship with the university.

Dr. John P. Carroll, Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Gamebird Management at the Warnell School, described how this endowment will allow the chapter’s generosity to assist students in perpetuity by operating only off the interest. “This way the money raised for quail conservation continues to work for quail conservation as a lasting tribute to the hard work done by the members of the Northeast Chapter.” Dr. Carroll went on to say, “This support from the Northeast Chapter is amazing. This chapter has helped so many students and research projects already. I cannot say enough to express my gratitude to Rex, David, Wink, and the rest of the team representing QU."

Rex is now offering a challenge to other Quail Unlimited chapters in Georgia to undertake the same commitment by helping our future bobwhite quail professionals and partners with QU.