For Immediate Release

Pulaski Senior Heading Quail Forever's Youth Leadership Group

Beech named Chair of Quail Forever's National Youth Leadership Council

- July 09 -

Quail Forever announces 17-year-old Evan Beech of Pulaski, Tennessee, as the newly-elected chair of the organization's National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC). Beech has served on the council since 2008.

The National Youth Leadership Council is comprised of 20 young people from around the country who were nominated by their Pheasants Forever or Quail Forever chapter for their community involvement and conservation interests. They are the spokespersons for their age group on hunting and conservation issues and advise Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever on youth programs.

Evan was nominated to the National Youth Leadership Council in April, 2008, by the Milky Way Quail Forever Chapter in Giles County, Tennessee, and served as the vice-chairman of the local chapter. Under Evan's direction, the NYLC will help improve the Youth Village section of Pheasants Forever's National Pheasant Fest, the organization's signature event which will be held in Omaha, Nebraska, January 28-30, 2011.

"I am honored to be given the opportunity to hold this position with the NYLC program," explained Beech. "I have been deeply connected to conservation for more than five years and plan on reaching out to educate more youngsters about conservation benefits." In addition to dedicating his time and efforts to local Quail Forever and conservation efforts, he is also an active leader for the Tennessee Governor's One Shot Turkey Hunt board and is a retired FFA president.

"I am looking forward to watching Evan take control of the council and take it to a new level," explained Rich Wissink, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever National Youth Program Specialist who oversees the Council. "Evan has grown into a leadership role and has always led by example."

The NYLC has worked on such important issues as bringing attention to the Federal Farm Bill and its significance to wildlife habitat and conservation, the role hunters have played in conservation in North America and helped pass state legislation to reduce age restrictive barriers to introduce young people to hunting. The NYLC will continue to work on issues that deal with hunting, conservation and wildlife habitat.

For more information on Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever's National Youth Leadership Council, contact Rich Wissink, National Youth Programs Specialist, at rwissink@quailforever.org.