The face of this year?s Marion County Conservation Service Wildlife Award is actually many faces.
The Marion County chapter of Quail Forever was named the recipient of the award by the Kansas Depart?ment of Wildlife and Parks for the organization?s dedication to preserving habitat for the Bob-White quail and other related upland species, as well as the group?s interaction with local youth.
Using volunteer time, Quail Forever has helped to establish food plots and supplied cover crops for field borders, filter strips and some Conservation Reserve Program fields.
The group has a cost-share program that pays a portion of the costs for planting shrubs and bushes associated with wildlife habitat.
The Marion County chapter has established a youth program that has assisted with three hunter-education programs in the county.
Working with the county, the group has used 160 acres of the closed landfill site southwest of Marion to allow hunting opportunities available to anyone with a disability or under the age of 18.
In addition, the local chapter annually awards the John F. Reznicek and the Jack Richmond scholarships, each valued at $500.
