University of Tennessee Becomes Permanent Home of the NBCI
October 1, 2008
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) Center for Native Grasslands Management has been designated as the new permanent home of the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI) by The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA).
SEAFWA President Dan Forster signed a Memorandum of Agreement with UTIA designating the Center as the headquarters, as selected by SEAFWA. NBCI Director Don McKenzie is working closely with UT’s Dr. Keith Belli, Head, Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Department, and Dr. Patrick Keyser, Director, The Center for Native Grasslands Management.
The first “NBCI marketing retreat” was held at UT, with the guidance of the UTIA Marketing and Communications staff. A strategic plan for achieving public support of NBCI implementation was outlined by the two dozen bobwhite conservation participants from 9 states. This outline provides a strong launch point for the NBTC’s Public Relations, Information and Education (PRIE) Committee, in collaboration with the anticipated new NBCI Outreach Coordinator, to be hired early in 2010.
