America’s newest conservation organization is based in Buffalo, Mo. The Quail and Upland Wildlife Federation, Inc. (QUWF) is one of at least two major groups to have formed in late 2009, as a result of the financial implosion of Quail Unlimited, once the nation’s largest non-profit conservation group.
The QUWF was founded by Craig Alderman, the former national director of marketing and briefly president of QU, and a Dallas County, Missouri, resident. QUWF is described as a group with a new direction. According to Alderman, it is one “where respect, trust and ethical business performance provide the structure and transparency for members across the United States, actions expected especially from a non-profit organization.”
Like several other wildlife habitat support associations, QUWF is set up with a national board of directors with local chapters to advance membership and participation in the organization. As of February, they have welcomed approximately 25 chapters but hope to double that number in the near future.
QUWF’s stated purpose is “It’s all about wildlife.” Many of the same benefits formerly extended to QU local chapter members will be offered to QUWF members in the near future, such as free use of equipment to establish food plots and insurance for those considering controlled burns. Like similar organizations, they seek to work with farmers and other landowners to increase wildlife habitat and accommodate those same landowners’ efforts to restore and improve conditions for upland game, like deer, turkey and dove, as well as quail.
The financial troubles of Quail Unlimited, which boasted chapters in 40 of the 50 states as recently as a year ago, have been outlined in various media outlets. Current QU officials claim rumors of bankruptcy are incorrect, and that their financial troubles are caused by the current economic situation; however, the facts remain that the organizations’ former 24 paid staff members have all been furloughed and their national headquarters building is up for sale.
Alderman, who was asked to take over as president of QU upon the resignation of the former CEO, wrestled for seven months with the difficulties he found in the organization, but was fired by a split board vote, after he refused to compromise over what he considered to be highly suspect if not blatantly illegal violations of ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) stipulations and IRS requirements as they apply to nonprofits. Upon his firing, well-respected senior vice president Donnie Buckland, promptly resigned.
According to a press release from QUWF, Alderman also stated, “we wanted more visibility at all levels.”
Ted Swan, former QU state chairman, of Kansas, said, “We know the actions and accomplishments of habitat work are successful at the local level… and that is what we have today in QUWF.”
