BOBBY JINDAL

GOVERNOR
June 23, 2014
Don McKenzie
of '!finuishma
DEPARTME NT OF W ILD LI FE A ND F ISHER IES
OFFICE OF SECRETARY
Director, National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative
2396 Cocklebur Road
Ward, AR 72176
Dear Don,
ROBERT J . B ARHAM
SECRETARY
In our great nation's history there have been pivotal points in time when odds were against
success. To some, the obstacles appeared insurmountable. But others considered the price of
failure too great. By courage, determination, and persistence through difficult times came
success. Today, we stand at a difficult time for bobwhites. This great bird once so common is
now absent from many places in its former range. A bird forever seared into the childhood
memories of so many is in jeopardy of not being there for future generations. The good news is
that momentum is building to recover this great game bird and a host of other imperil ed
grassland speG.i.e.s: Forth: iqp)CJ_ny_ decld.es: pi ne acres has
been halted. Bobwhites now a primary t9pic of v!rtually ,every recovery effort its
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This success is not an accident but rather a well-orchestrated persistent effort by bobwhite
enthusiasts across the nation. The well thought-out and deliberate steps taken by the now
National Bobwhite Technical Committee (NBTC) has led this effort. Understanding that range
wide recovery of bobwhites needed a coordinated national effort, the National Bobwhite
Conservation Initiative (NBCI) was born. States understand that without a national focus,
bobwhite restoration will never reach its full potential. If a national emphasis on bobwhites is to
ever succeed, we must have a healthy NBCI.
Just a few years ago, Louisiana had its own set of obstacles to overcome. Two major
hurricanes named Katrina and Rita followed by the greatest oil spill disaster in American history
temporarily redirected our focus. During hurricanes Katrina and Rita saving human lives and
property became paramount for our agency. For months afterwards, as our Department worked
to help others, several employees and families who themselves had lost their own homes were
housed in wildlife offices, bunkhouses, and other Department facil ities . Duri ng this difficult time,
the people of this nation stepped up to help with recav.ery efforts. Certain NBTC stepped
up,to_ pay Louisiar;J a's NBC I support fee for several the. storm . . _ .: ,,
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P.O. BOX 98000 BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70898-9000 PHONE (225) 765-2623 FAX l 225J 7 65 2607
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is with great pleasure that the Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries is now able to pay
back some of this generosity by supporting the NBCI at a significant level. It is our hope and
expectation that along with other states that have contributed PR and other funding to NBC I that
great things can soon happen for bobwhite recovery efforts range wide.
As so many other states, Louisiana is serious about restoring bobwhites and looks forward to
working with the NBTC and NBCI.