Dave Weber of Wathena, Kan., has been an active member of Quail Unlimited since the early 1990s. His love of conservation and passionate management of his land has led to one of the top honors the organization could bestow upon anyone. Weber was named the 2008 National Adopt A Covey Habitat Farmer/Landowner of the Year.

The award is the culmination of over a decade’s worth of effort and a lot dedication. Weber attributes much of his success to the Heartland Chapter of Quail Unlimited and its members.

He became involved with the local group after seeing an ad in the St. Joseph News Press in Nov. of 2001 about an organizational meeting for starting a QU Chapter in St. Joseph.

His goal at the time was to become part of an organization of “Doers” and not just “Watchers.” Weber recalled. He also wanted to be part of an organization that worked in his local area rather than sending locally raised dollars to other regions and states.

Weber met Jeff Powelson, the Heartland Chapter’s current chairman, for the first time at the organizational meeting in Dec. 2001 and was impressed by his commitment to local habitat work.

Weber became a charter member of the Heartland group and has served on the Chapter Board both then and now.

“The Heartland Chapter gave Weber the needed direction with habitat efforts. His Kansas farm roots instilled in him a respect for the land and its wildlife as well as the philosophy of Aldo Leopold, who stated, ‘We will have not conservation worthy of the name until food and cover for wildlife is deliberately, instead of accidentally, provided for or until abundant wildlife is the mark of the best rather than the worst farming.’”

In Quail Unlimited, Weber has found a home for this philosophy.

“I learned long ago to ignore the ‘coffee shop experts’ when it comes to wildlife biology and specific habitat needs,” Weber said.

By attending various workshops and field days that the Heartland Chapter has sponsored over the past eight years, Weber has gained a wealth of vital knowledge.

Sparked with this knowledge and fueled with an inherit passion for wildlife, and the outdoors in general, Weber was able to create a resort like setting for wildlife on his farm. “It is from those QU supported efforts that my place was recognized by QU and awarded the 1st place winner of the 2008 National Adopt a Covey Habitat Farm of the Year Award.

“We are not really owners of the land but just temporary stewards of it,” Weber said, encouraging landowners to be proud of the legacy they leave behing. “If you want to make a difference, get involved, do something, be determined, don’t get discouraged, and be a ‘giver’ as well as a ‘taker’ when it comes to conservation.”

Weber also recommends joining a local QU chapter.

“Don’t wait for anyone else to do it; if it is going to get done, it’s up to you to do it,” he said. “When you join your QU chapter you’ll find contact information there for folks like me who welcome the opportunity to not only meet you but assist with all types of habitat work.”

While Weber was awarded the national title, another Heartland Chapter member, Jay Shewmaker of Cosby, Mo., was also considered and was one of the 10 regional Adopt a Covey Award winners.

Anyone interested in getting involved with the Heartland Chapter of Quail Unlimited can contact Jeff Powelson at (816) 261-3939 or Jay Shewmaker at (816) 262-8383.

Outdoors correspondent Jeff Leonard can be reached at outdoors@npgco.com