The Central Hardwoods Joint Venture (CHJV) is a partnership of state, federal, and non-profit wildlife conservation agencies and organizations that work together to ensure 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 & Grassland 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
- Sam Shine Foundation
Strategic Plan
Our Staff
The CHJV staff provides the day-to-day coordination and technical capacity needed to implement the CHJV vision. In addition to the CHJV, there are 22 other bird habitat Joint Ventures across the United States.
Kyle Brazil, CHJV Coordinator
Kyle 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. Kyle holds a PhD in Natural Resources from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a MS in Range & Wildlife Management from Texas A&M University – Kingsville. Kyle has several years experience in private lands management, agricultural policy, and grassland restoration and management.
Rich Stanton, CHJV Avian Ecologist
Rich is responsible for developing & improving the scientific foundation of the Joint Venture’s conservation work and communicating research findings and implications for CHJV priority birds to the Joint Venture partners. Rich holds a PhD in Interdisciplinary Ecology from the University of Florida, and a MS in Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences from the University of Missouri.
Jeff Powelson, CHJV Delivery Coordinator
Jeff is responsible for promoting habitat management, land protection, and policies and programs beneficial for birds of conservation concern in the Central Hardwoods Bird Conservation Region. Jeff 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. Jeff has a BS in Wildlife & Fisheries Management from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and over two decades of experience as a Private Lands Biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Judi Brown, Let the Sun Shine In – Indiana Coordinator
Judi coordinates Let the Sun Shine In – Indiana (LSSI). LSSI is a collaboration focused on recovering and maintaining oak-hickory ecosystems for the benefit of both wildlife and the people of southern Indiana. This public/private collaboration consists of partners with a mutual interest in healthy, sustainable forests and watersheds, and improved wildlife habitat. Judi earned a BS in Forestry from Purdue University, and served as Executive Director for the Dubois County Soil and Water Conservation District for 25 years before joining the CHJV team.
