Quail Group Supports Fire Management

Quail Forever, in partnership with the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture and through a generous grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, is pleased to announce the hiring of Thomas Janke as the new Coordinating Wildlife Biologist – Prescribed Fire Coordinator. Janke will work with partners from the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and others to help promote and accelerate the delivery of prescribed fire on public and private lands.

Janke’s regional focus will be concentrated in central Texas with special emphasis on the geographies of Edwards Plateau, Blackland Prairie, and Cross Timbers. His primary work duties include educating both landowners and stakeholders on the responsible use of prescribed fire as an early successional habitat management tool. This will be accomplished by coordinating with the newly formed Texas Prescribed Fire Council – which includes regional prescribed burn staff from partner organizations – as well as existing Prescribed Burn Associations.

“Thomas brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever team in Texas,” said Chris McLeland, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever’s South Region Director. “This position has been a long time in the making. I am really excited to have Thomas on board and look forward to seeing him hit the ground running.”

Janke earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Texas A&M University, as well as earning his master’s degree in Range and Wildlife Management from Sul Ross State University.  For the past 11 years, Janke has been serving in vital roles for both the Borderlands Research Institute, as well as the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Institute.

Source: Quail Forever