Katherine Scarlett Nominated as Council on Environmental Quality Chair

June 17, 2025 – Washington, D.C. – Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) congratulate Katherine Scarlett on her nomination as chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) by President Donald Trump. Scarlett has been serving as the CEQ chief of staff since the start of the current administration; previously, she worked at CEQ and served as chief of staff to the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council during President Trump’s first administration. Additionally, she served as senior professional staff on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.  

"Katherine Scarlett is a friend to conservation and I congratulate her on her nomination," said Ariel Wiegard, PF & QF’s vice president of government affairs. "As a senior Hill staffer and CEQ chief of staff, Scarlett has demonstrated a firm commitment to the policy priorities of the sportsmen and women's community. We have every expectation that she will continue to pursue our shared goals as CEQ chair, and we encourage Senators on both sides of the aisle to confirm her as soon as practicable." 

CEQ consults and coordinates with federal agencies, providing guidance on the implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to ensure timely environmental review and permitting processes across the Federal government. Scarlett will lead efforts to advise and assist the President on policies that promote the improvement of environmental quality, while supporting the economic prosperity and energy security of the American people. 

About Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever 

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever make up the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. This community of more than 500,000 members, supporters and partners is dedicated to the protection of our uplands through habitat improvement, public access, education and advocacy. A network of 754 local chapters spread across North America determine how 100 percent of their locally raised funds are spent — the only national conservation organization that operates through this grassroots structure. Since its creation in 1982, the organization has dedicated more than $1 billion to 580,000 habitat projects benefiting 28.8 million acres. 

Media Contact 
Mikayla Peper 
715-294-0688 
mpeper@pheasantsforever.org