Tucked away in rural Cloverdale is a developing quail habitat maintained by Bill Wilcox and Bill Noble. Coming from California, where their passion for gardening originated, the pair eventually moved to Indianapolis, where they continued gardening.
The property the pair chose was a blank slate inhabited by invasive species. Over time, they have pulled these invasive species out to allow the native species to return. Through these efforts and the help of Quail Forever, who sprayed and seeded the acre and a half area, they have been able to cultivate a natural and quail-friendly domain. By their third year, in 2021, Wilcox and Noble noted the success they had witnessed.
The Summer of 2021 was their best year yet, and together they have observed a growth in wildlife. The expansion includes possums, raccoons, turkeys, and deer, which contribute to the garden. The large variety of colors and plants contributes to the garden's success. Each plant contributes to the environment as Cup plants hold water for birds to drink, and Ragweeds provide a good food source. Other plants such as GoldenRods are just beginning to emerge. Wilcox and Noble's accomplishments eventually encouraged their neighbor to maintain a similar habitat.
With the drastic advancements to become a natural habitat, the property led Bill Noble to construct an area for quail. The eventual hope is to return the quail to nature by releasing them into the habitat. With six adults gifted to them and one already nesting, they plan on excluding the offspring from human contact so that they can be released with the best chances to survive.
The process of creating an environment with this level of success took multiple years of patience, maintenance, and planning. Bill Noble and Bill Wilcox are just beginning to see the fruits of their efforts. So far, they have not been able to find a downside to their work. The symbiotic plantings have also increased the yield in their vegetable garden. They yearn to inspire others to follow their lead and challenge them to improve the environment.
