Photo courtesy of Quail Unlimited Al Batten (L), Of Johnston County, N.C., received the QU Volunteer of the Year award from Joseph (Rocky) Evans, President of Quail Unlimited National Operations.

Winchester Ammunition and Quail Unlimited are pleased to announce that Al Batten of the Johnston County, North Carolina Quail Unlimited Chapter is the 2006 Quail Unlimited Volunteer of the Year.

Mr. Batten has been a member of the Johnston County Chapter since it was founded in 1983.  The Chapter has been recognized by Quail Unlimited for its accomplishments by receiving various awards, such as the Top Gun Habitat Award (Division D), 5th Place Top Five Chapters Most Sponsors, 10/30 Club Award and President’s Club Awards.

Mr. Batten has served as the Chapter’s Habitat Committee Coordinator for the past 20 years.  He has worked as an agriculture instructor and FFA advisor in the Johnston County school system for the past 30 years.

He developed and implemented the Chapter’s Youth Habitat Enhancement Program, which has 620 students involved from all five of the county’s high schools.  The program objectives are to educate students about the value of quail and wildlife on the farm and demonstrate how habitat enhancement can be a viable part of agriculture.  The Chapter provides seed and fertilizer, and the students must find a site to plant the food plots.  Mr. Batten has formed a committee to judge the top three habitat plantings from each school, giving cash awards and scholarships to the winners.  Mr. Batten was recently given the Youth in Conservation Award from the North Carolina Quail Unlimited State Council in recognition for his tireless efforts with the program.

In addition to his teaching duties and volunteer work with Quail Unlimited, Mr. Batten also coordinates and teaches two hunter safety classes each year, certifying an average of 60 participants.

Even in his retirement, Mr. Batten continues to show his enthusiasm for Quail Unlimited and the area’s youth, making him a valuable member of the chapter and the surrounding community.