The Central Hardwoods Joint Venture (CHJV) is a partnership of state, federal, and non-for-profit wildlife conservation agencies and organizations that work together to insure the long-term viability of native bird populations across the Central Hardwoods Bird Conservation Region.

Our Management Board
A Management Board consisting of representatives of each partner agency or organization provides the overall vision and guidance for the partnership.
- Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
- American Bird Conservancy
- Indiana Dept of Natural Resources
- Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
- Missouri Department of Conservation
- National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative
- National Resources Conservation Service
- National Wild Turkey Federation
- Quail Forever
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
- The Nature Conservancy, Indiana Chapter
- U.S.D.A. Forest Service
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Strategic Plan
Our Staff
The CHJV staff provide the day-to-day coordination and technical capacity needed to implement the CHJV vision. In addition to the CHJV, there are 17 other bird habitat Joint Ventures across the United States.
Jane Fitzgerald, CHJV Coordinator
Jane oversees the day-to-day operations of the Joint Venture, supervises other CHJV staff, and is responsible for carrying out the vision of the CHJV under the direction of the Management Board. Jane holds a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Arkansas, and formerly was the Midwest Regional Coordinator for Partners in Flight.
Cara Joos, CHJV Science Coordinator
Cara is responsible for developing & improving the scientific foundation of the Joint Venture’s conservation work. Cara holds a Ph. D. in Biology from the University of Missouri, Columbia and a M.S. in Wildlife Science from New Mexico State University.
Kyle Brazil, CHJV Delivery Coordinator
Kyle is responsible for promoting habitat management, land protection and policies and programs beneficial for birds of conservation concern in the CHBCR. Kyle works closely with state and federal agencies, NGOs and other partners to seek opportunities to increase restoration and management of natural communities and other habitats critical to priority bird needs on both public and private lands, and get the right habitat in the right places. Kyle has a Ph.D. in Natural Resources from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and several years of experience in private land management and agriculture policy.