Mrs. Julie Schnedler's sixth grade Mediapolis Community School class of Iowa youngsters will be fully geared in Quail Forever (QF) apparel as they experience Disneyland next month. The 66 youngsters won the national grand prize, an all-expenses-paid trip to Disneyland, for Disney's Planet Challenge submission titled, "Operation: Save the Quail." Des Moines County, Iowa's Aldo Leopold Chapter of Pheasants Forever funded the class project with an $8,000 contribution.

In recognition of the achievement focusing on the habitat needs of quail, Quail Forever has supplied the youngsters with Quail Forever t-shirts. The organization also plans to feature the class project in the Quail Forever Journal of Quail Conservation, the Pheasants Forever Journal of Upland Conservation, Upland Tales and On The Wing publications.

"Obviously, there is a lot of excitement within our organization for what these kids have accomplished. Their efforts and success have taken the story of America's quail crisis to an audience we could never have reached on our own," explained Cheryl Riley, PF & QF's Vice President of Education and Outreach. Bobwhite population losses over the past 30 years range from 60 to 90 percent across the country. Massive losses of suitable quail habitat are responsible for the rapid decline.

"Chris Lee, a former employee of ours, deserves a tremendous amount of credit for making this fairytale happen for the kids, but also for helping highlight the habitat needs of quail," added Riley. Lee worked for PF & QF as a Farm Bill Biologist in Missouri from February 2006 to November 2008 before accepting a job with the Des Moines County Conservation District in his hometown.

"The dedication that the students had for this project was incredible. They didn't do it to win the contest; they really just wanted to make a difference for quail. This trip to Disneyland is just a bonus for all their hard work," said Lee, who has continued his support of PF & QF as the organization's volunteer state coordinator for the Leopold Education Project. "And, certainly we need to give a big tip of the hat to the Aldo Leopold Chapter of Pheasants Forever. Without their support, none of this would have been possible. This whole project truly was a team effort."

The Aldo Leopold Chapter of Pheasants Forever formed in 1989. The chapter is named in honor of Aldo Leopold, the famed wildlife conservationist, author and professor who was born in Burlington, Iowa in 1887. Pheasants Forever's conservation philosophy and education efforts are grounded in Leopold's A Sand County Almanac.

According to Disney's press release, Mrs. Schnedler's class will be honored in a recognition ceremony and parade at Disneyland on May 7th, and featured on Disney Channel as youth environmental leaders. Disney's Plant Challenge enrollment for the 2010/2011 school year is open now at www.disney.com/planetchallenge.