Efforts are under way at Pea Ridge National Military Park in Arkansas to rebuild habitat for bobwhite quail, a grasslands bird that has suffered from declining habitat nation-wide.

The National Park Service, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, and the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative are collaborating to establish the nation's first NBCI Bobwhite Focal Area ever located on National Park Service land.

NBCI is a national effort by 25 state wildlife agencies to restore bobwhite quail whose populations—and those of other grasslands wildlife species—have plummeted over the past decades because of habitat decline. NBCI is working to establish large-scale "focal areas" where habitat and the birds—can be restored to demonstrate that recovery of bobwhites and other grassland songbirds and wildlife is possible given proper habitat management at the proper scale.

The plan is to establish a large, healthy resident population of bobwhites that can be a source population that will expand to neighboring properties if the habitat is there. The three partners will also work cooperatively on the development of interpretive and educational materials. ea Ridge will serve as a location for public education and outreach.

"This partnership is an excellent opportunity for Pea Ridge to benefit from the expertise and knowledge of both of these outstanding organizations. It will promote large landscape conservation, and will support, protect, and provide for the restoration and preservation of our cultural landscape. As we approach our National Park Service Centennial, this is an excellent time to work with our partners on restoring the bobwhite habitat," said Superintendent Kevin Eads.

"The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is delighted to share in this opportunity to restore and enhance habitat that is beneficial to bobwhite quail, as well as other grassland species," said Steven Fowler, assistant chief of the AGFC's wildlife management division. "Pea Ridge presents a very visible, high-profile location whereby visitors can learn about history and also observe quail and other wildlife thriving as a result of proper and focused wildlife management practices."

"Rural agricultural settings in this era were bobwhite habitat," said NBCI Director Don McKenzie. "The park has already recorded some bobwhite response from its vegetation management work and has chosen the bobwhite as an 'indicator' species to help measure their success. That the NPS is willing to work with us to achieve mutual goals is a huge step for the restoration of wild bobwhite populations along with other grassland songbirds and wildlife species in Arkansas … and possibly other states in the future.

"It's also an unparalleled opportunity to reach the public with the story about what has happened to not only bobwhites but also other grasslands wildlife species in this country … and why. We hope this is just a first step in working with the National Park Service wherever we have mutual objectives."