Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s largest event, National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic, concluded in Kansas City this past weekend as thousands of upland supporters flocked to the Kansas City Convention Center. During the event, six local chapters from throughout the nation were praised with top honors during a conservation luncheon on February 20, and received awards for their volunteer efforts over the past year in the categories of habitat projects, membership, and conservation advocacy.
“These model affiliates show what’s possible when chapters develop a strong core of dedicated volunteers, build solid local, state & federal-level partnerships, and become actively engaged in their local communities,” stated Howard Vincent, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s president and CEO. “Congratulations to all of the award-winning chapters who are setting a positive example for their peers, communities and upland hunters in the United States.”
Pheasants Forever Habitat Chapter of the Year Award
Labeled as the most prestigious award amongst chapter volunteers and their peers, the Habitat Chapter of the Year Award is selected by Pheasants Forever staff and recognizes a leading chapter in the nation for habitat conservation projects and direct mission delivery over the course of one year. Based in Sidney, Nebraska, the
High Plains Chapter of Pheasants Forever has earned the 2015 Habitat Chapter of the Year Award through innovative projects and partnerships that are helping to restore pheasant populations in western Nebraska.
The High Plains Chapter of Pheasants Forever started in 1990 to help restore wildlife populations around the Cheyenne County area. The chapter consists of volunteers who donate their time, talent and energy to improve wildlife habitat through: habitat improvement projects (food plots, wetland restorations, winter cover plantings, nesting cover restorations), supporting and promoting federal conservation programs (such as CRP), and supporting Nebraska conservation initiatives (Corners For Wildlife, Habitat Share Partnership, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, Open Fields and Waters). Thanks to their fundraising and habitat management efforts, the High Plains Chapter of Pheasants Forever has spent more than $632,000 since 1990 to complete 2,821 habitat projects benefitting wildlife on 41,292 acres. Included in this total is their chapter habitat work over the past year which is comprised of native grass plantings, food plots, habitat management equipment purchases, and over $48,000 spent on direct mission delivery.
Quail Forever Habitat Chapter of the Year Award
Labeled as the most prestigious award amongst chapter volunteers and their peers, the Habitat Chapter of the Year Award is selected by Quail Forever staff and recognizes a leading chapter in the nation for habitat conservation projects and direct mission delivery over the course of one year. Based in Hiawatha, Kansas, the Brown County Chapter of Quail Forever has earned the 2015 Habitat Chapter of the Year Award through innovative projects and partnerships that are helping to restore quail populations in northern Kansas.
New to Quail Forever in 2010, the Brown County Chapter of Quail Forever has invested more than $46,000 in their five-year history to complete 46 habitat projects benefiting wildlife on 126 acres. The following projects were either completed or started in 2015 by local volunteers of the Brown County Chapter of Quail Forever:
- Implementing quail habitat projects for Highland Community College
- Completed two Pollinator Habitat Programs with schools in Hiawatha, Kansas
- Working to implement the Pollinator Habitat Program in Brown and Doniphan counties
- Sponsored CRP, wildlife, and quail workshops for area landowners
Pheasants Forever Chapter Membership Award
As the lifeblood of the organization, more Pheasants Forever members equal more acres of habitat, more birds, and more public lands to hunt. Based in Mitchell, South Dakota, the
Pheasant Country Chapter of Pheasants Forever understands this important connection and has earned the Chapter Membership Award for the third consecutive year. Their 2015 fundraiser resulted in 702 members during the group’s 30
th anniversary banquet. Thanks to these membership and fundraising efforts, the Pheasant Country Chapter of Pheasants Forever spent more than $47,000 to complete 174 habitat projects benefitting wildlife on 1,566 acres in 2015.
Quail Forever Chapter Membership Award
As the lifeblood of the organization, more Quail Forever members equal more acres of habitat, more birds, and more public lands to hunt. In fact, Quail Forever membership surpassed 16,000 members in the past year due to the efforts of dedicated chapter volunteers. Based in Cordele, Georgia, the Flint River Chapter of Quail Forever has been announced as the Chapter Membership Award winner with 257 members of Quail Forever signed-up during their 2015 banquet. Thanks to these membership and fundraising efforts, the Flint River Chapter of Quail Forever spent more than $12,000 on wildlife habitat and conservation advocacy efforts in 2015.
Pheasants Forever Legislative Action Fund Award
The ability of Pheasants Forever to create habitat often begins in Washington D.C. as federal and state conservation programs become approved by Congress for delivery on the landscape. To that end, local chapters are asked to support Pheasants Forever’s advocacy efforts through the Legislative Action Fund to assure the voice of conservation is being presented to political platforms. The Racine County Chapter of Pheasants Forever based in Racine, Wisconsin, contributed $25,000 to the organization’s advocacy efforts in the past year, and a total of $295,000 since the program’s inception, to be named Pheasants Forever’s Legislative Action Fund Award winner for 2015. Additionally, the Racine County Chapter of Pheasants Forever has spent more than $550,000 to complete 456 habitat projects benefitting wildlife on 3,604 acres since 1989. These accomplishments will be celebrated on March 30 during the chapter’s 27
th Annual Banquet in Racine, Wisconsin.
Quail Forever Legislative Action Fund Award
The ability of Quail Forever to create habitat often begins in Washington D.C. as federal and state conservation programs become approved by Congress for delivery on the landscape. To that end, local chapters are asked to support Quail Forever’s advocacy efforts through the Legislative Action Fund to assure the voice of conservation is being presented to political platforms. The
Central Nebraska Chapter of Quail Forever based in St. Paul, Nebraska, contributed $3,000 to the organization’s advocacy efforts in the past year - and has contributed to the program every year since the chapter was established in 2005 for a total of $17,500 - to be named Quail Forever’s Legislative Action Fund Award winner for 2015. Additionally, the Central Nebraska Chapter of Quail Forever has spent nearly $150,000 to complete 147 habitat projects benefitting wildlife on 1,849 acres since their inception.
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 145,000 members and 700 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent; the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure. Since creation in 1982, Pheasants Forever has spent $634 million on 502,000 habitat projects benefiting 14.1 million acres nationwide.
Media Contact
Jared Wiklund
(651) 209-4953
jwiklund@pheasantsforever.org