The Habitat Organization Announces Brent Rudolph as Director of Sustainability Partnerships

In a first-of-its-kind hiring for the nation’s leading upland habitat conservation organizations, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are pleased to announce the appointment of Brent Rudolph as Director of Sustainability Partnerships. Collaborating with external stakeholders to expand grassland-focused conservation and sustainability outcomes, Rudolph will assist corporations, private donors, and foundations in aligning profitability with ecological performance.

As the 21st century faces growing needs and demands for environmental, social, and economic sustainability, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are uniquely positioned to offer habitat-based solutions for the nation’s most complex environmental and agricultural issues including climate resiliency, soil health, water quality, carbon sequestration, and rural economic development. In fact, The Habitat Organization has been a leader in delivering sustainability outcomes across the pheasant and quail range with partners such as NestlĂ© Purina (Soil Health and Habitat Program), John Deere (Precision Agriculture), Cotton Inc. (Cotton Sustainability & Quail Population Recovery Project), United Sorghum Checkoff Program (Sorghum for BIRDS), Hayden Outdoors Real Estate (Corners for Conservation), South Dakota Corn Growers Association (Saline Soils Program), and others. In his new role, Rudolph will seek to grow similar programs and partnerships while furthering Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever as national frontrunners for sustainability efforts among nonprofits.

“Brent understands the power of strategic partnerships and philanthropic relationships to benefit our mission of wildlife habitat conservation,” stated David Bue, chief development officer for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “His results-oriented mindset and track record of building effective partnerships will help us achieve the ambitious goals and strategic initiatives of the Call of the Uplands campaign.”

Rudolph joins Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever after more than four years of service to the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS). He initially served as the organization’s Director of Conservation Policy before transitioning to a senior leadership role as Chief Conservation and Legislative Officer. Prior to joining RGS & AWS, Rudolph worked for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for nearly 18 years where he coordinated policy and public engagement, oversaw the Partnership for Ecosystem Research and Management wildlife program, and ran research programs tasked with integrating insights from social sciences and wildlife ecology.  

Rudolph has a Ph.D. in Human Dimensions of Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University (MSU), a M.S. in Environmental and Forest Biology from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and a B.S. in Biology from Ohio Northern University. He’s also holds an appointment as Adjunct Assistant Professor in the MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, where he works closely with the Boone and Crockett Quantitative Wildlife Center and human dimensions program to mentor students, assist with research and outreach, and drive innovative approaches to collaborative conservation and sustainability.  

“Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have an outstanding track-record of delivering conservation projects and programs that  produce quality wildlife habitat and create a healthy environment. I’m honored by the opportunity to ensure we continue to use the best science and expand partnerships to deliver on our core conservation mission in collaboration with corporate and community sustainability initiatives.”

Rudolph resides in the region of Lansing, Michigan, with his wife, Niki, daughters Amelia and Tess, and two English setters (Rose and Hazel). He is an avid hunter, runner, and all-around outdoorsman. For more information about grassland sustainability measures with Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, please contact Brent Rudolph at BRudolph@PheasantsForever.org or (517) 980-4570.

About Pheasants Forever

Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 120,000 members and 780 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Since creation in 1982, Pheasants Forever has spent over $950 million on 560,000 habitat projects benefiting 20 million acres nationwide. In fact, more than 212,000 of those acres are now permanently protected as public lands. 

Media Contact
Jared Wiklund
(651) 209-4953
jwiklund@pheasantsforever.org