Pheasants Forever Hires New Iowa State Coordinator
Pheasants Forever 04.18.12
Pheasants Forever (PF) announces Tom Fuller, formerly Pheasants Forever’s Regional Representative in eastern Iowa, as the organization’s new Iowa State Coordinator. In his new position, Fuller will be responsible for the long-term strategic implementation of Pheasants Forever’s conservation mission in Iowa.
“Tom brings a skill set and local knowledge to a new position within Iowa that is designed to lead the Pheasants Forever team to even greater accomplishments for Iowa pheasants, quail and other wildlife,” says Rick Young, Pheasants Forever Vice President of Field Operations, “This position will open new opportunities for Pheasants Forever as we implement a structure that allows us to better pursue new and expanded partnerships, habitat programs, development opportunities and team growth.”
“In my new role as State Coordinator, I plan to capitalize on the incredible chapter and partner support Pheasants Forever and our quail division, Quail Forever, have in Iowa and leverage dollars towards specific results for Iowa’s wildlife and landscape,” said Tom Fuller, “We cannot have a haphazard approach to Iowa’s conservation future if we are to increase our wildlife populations. To see major results, we will need a direct and focused plan. I know that with our unbelievable chapter support, this goal is possible, and I hope all Iowans support us in keeping Iowa’s outdoors wild and landscape healthy.”
A native of Springville, Iowa, Fuller grew up in an upland hunting family. His father, Roy Fuller, was a champion dog trainer, which accounts for Fuller’s own passion for bird dogs. Since 2001, he has owned and operated Covey Rise Kennels, which specializes in breeding and training American Brittanys. Fuller began his employment with Pheasants Forever in August 2006 as a Regional Representative for eastern Iowa. Since that time, he has been a leader on Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s field team with innovative ideas, a passion for the organization’s mission and an unlimited vision for how to improve future conservation efforts.
“As an Iowan, I am proud of the welcoming outdoor culture our state is known for,” said Fuller, “In a time when doors are being closed off to hunters, Iowa landowners still accept those people who knock on their doors, looking for somewhere to experience the outdoors. We treasure our wildlife and miss the bird numbers that we once had, and collectively, we are working hard to get back to where we once were. That is what fuels my passion for implementing Pheasants Forever’s mission in Iowa.”
Iowa is home to 20,000 Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever members and 104 combined PF/QF chapters. Fuller lives in rural Oxford, Iowa, with his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, McKenzie, Taylor, and Ty. For more information on “The Habitat Organization” in Iowa, please contact Tom Fuller at (319) 321-9775 or Email Tom.
Pheasants Forever launched Quail Forever in August of 2005 to address the continuing loss of habitat suitable for quail and the subsequent quail population decline. Bobwhite population losses over the last 25 years range from 60 to 90 percent across the country. The reason for the quail population plunge is simple - massive losses of habitat suitable for quail. There are five major factors leading to the losses of quail habitat; intensified farming and forestry practices, succession of grassland ecosystems to forests, overwhelming presence of exotic grasses like fescue that choke out wildlife, and urban sprawl.
