February 6, 2025 – Pottsville, Penn. – Pheasants Forever (PF) is proud to introduce the organization’s first permanent protection project in Pennsylvania. The 119-acre property in Schuylkill County connects to State Game Lands and will increase hunting opportunities for upland birds and other popular game species in the region.
“This is a win for hunters and wildlife enthusiasts in Pennsylvania,” said Julia Smith, PF’s Pennsylvania state coordinator. “While Pennsylvania is blessed with abundant public land, there is a need for more diverse habitat, especially grasslands, near the state’s population centers.”
Located within an hour drive of Harrisburg, this reclaimed mine site was previously restored to quality upland wildlife habitat. The property will be conveyed to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, adding to the nearly 1.5 million acres of State Game Lands throughout the Commonwealth. The new addition to State Game Land #229 will be managed publicly for both game and nongame wildlife that rely on upland habitat.
This project was made possible by PF & QF chapters, partners and members who contribute to the organization’s Build a Wildlife Area® program. Build a Wildlife Area® is Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s permanent habitat protection program delivering strategic, fee-title acquisitions to conserve habitat and increase public hunting access. The program strives to create functional landscapes supporting wild, sustainable populations of upland birds and other wildlife, while providing ancillary benefits to natural resources and communities. Since 1982, the program has permanently protected more than 238,860 acres of publicly accessible habitat in 17 states.
By permanently protecting high-quality habitat, Pheasants Forever’s acquisition strategy also provides solutions for rural economic development and the nation’s most complex sustainability issues including improved biodiversity, soil health, and water stewardship— while simultaneously prioritizing maximum impact for pheasants, quail, and associated wildlife.
For questions about public land access in Pennsylvania, contact PF’s Pennsylvania state coordinator Julia Smith at JSmith@PheasantsForever.org.
About Pheasants Forever
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever make up the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. This community of more than 477,000 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