Position marks first expansion of QF’s biologist partnership into the Sunshine State.
Quail Forever is proud to announce the hiring of Nicole Itzkowitz as the first ever Farm Bill Biologist in Florida. In her new position, Itzkowitz will provide technical assistance to landowners who’re interested in managing their property for quail and other wildlife, in addition to facilitating enrollment of Farm Bill programs in the Sunshine State.
“Nicole is no stranger to bobwhite in the southeast,” said Jess McQuire, Quail Forever’s working lands for wildlife bobwhite program coordinator. “Her experience makes her a perfect fit for this location and we’re happy to have her on the team in Florida.”
Itzkowitz grew up in a wildlife-centric family in Connecticut, where she spent summers on Lake Zoar with her grandfather. She graduated from University of Connecticut in 2019 with a degree in animal science, wildlife conservation, and ecology & evolutionary biology. Following graduation, she found her passion for the northern bobwhite quail as a game bird research technician, and eventual lead game bird technician, in central Florida with the conservation organization Tall Timbers. Through that position she became well acquainted with the bobwhite within the context of the Pine Flatwoods ecosystem, in addition to seeing firsthand how vital prescribed fire is as a management tool.
“I’m thrilled to be able to continue growing as a bobwhite conservationist and as a resource for anyone interested in wildlife,” she said. “Being the first Farm Bill Biologist in Florida is a really exciting opportunity, with an open ended jumping off point. I’m also looking forward to creating new partnerships that Quail Forever may not have had access to before. I believe there’s a wealth of opportunities for conservation and collaboration here in central Florida, and I’m looking forward to finding them in the coming years.”
Itzkowitz lives in Orlando and her office will be based out of Kissimmee, Florida. When she’s not working, her other hobbies include birding, wildlife photography, exploring Florida’s natural spaces and spending time with her two kittens, Cosmo and Ozzy.
About Quail Forever
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever make up the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. This community of more than 400,000 members, supporters and partners is dedicated to the protection of our uplands through habitat improvement, public access, education and advocacy. A network of 754 local chapters spread across North America determine how 100 percent of their locally raised funds are spent — the only national conservation organization that operates through this grassroots structure. Since its creation in 1982, the organization has dedicated more than $1 billion to 567,500 habitat projects benefiting 22 million acres.
