Polson, Mont. - Jan. 20, 2025 - Pheasants Forever is proud to announce a significant contribution to its conservation efforts in Montana’s Mission Valley from the Estate of Lois Scott. The donation, totaling $744,000, will help elevate the Montana Grasslands Initiative as well as the Build a Wildlife Area program — creating stronger partnerships, better habitat and more birds throughout the state. 

“This donation will provide an incredible boost to our conservation efforts in Montana’s Mission Valley,” said Jordan Martincich, Pheasants Forever’s vice president of development. “It is an honor for the organization to receive such a wonderful legacy gift from Lois Scott based on her passion for our mission and her longstanding relationship with her local PF Chapter. Her generosity will be felt in the region forever.”

The gift was made possible by the incredible leadership of the Mission Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever, which has spearheaded upland habitat conservation efforts in the Mission Valley for decades. The gift will create outcomes focused on several main areas, and the breakdown of impact areas is as follows. 

Build-a-Wildlife-Area (BAWA)

This will provide funding to support land acquisition projects through the BAWA program in the Mission Valley. BAWA is Pheasants Forever’s premier land acquisition program with a proven track record of success open lands to public hunting in Montana and across the country. 

Mission Valley Wildlife Biology

This will fund a biologist/habitat specialist position in the Mission Valley. Boots on the ground capacity is vital to advance the Montana Grassland Initiative in the Mission Valley and ensure grassland habitat within the Mission Valley flourishes. 

Mission Valley Habitat Restoration Supplies and Equipment

This will provide dedicated funding for seed, herbicide, hand tools, equipment, rentals and other needs to advance Montana Grassland Initiative goals within the Mission Valley of restoring and enhancing grasslands.

For more information on Pheasants Forever’s efforts in Montana or to learn more about how you can support our Montana efforts, contact Hunter VanDonsel, Montana State Coordinator, at 406.461.3827 or hvandonsel@pheasantsforever.org.

For information on the many benefits associated with remembering Pheasants Forever in your will or estate plan, please contact Jordan Martincich, VP of Development, at 816.560.1070 or jmartincich@pheasantsforever.org.

About Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever   

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever make up the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. This community of more than 500,000 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 585,000 habitat projects benefiting 31 million acres.   

Media Contact 
Casey Sill
(402)-657-4143
csill@pheasantsforever.org