Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) Habitat Conservation Organizations Meeting in Minneapolis

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Wildlife, Nature, Sustainability

Ed Hessler

Star Tribune outdoor writer Dennis Anderson wrote about a congregation of members on the 40th anniversary of two organizations dedicated to conserving, protecting and preserving habitat. They will gather for the 2023 National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic to be held from February 17 to February 19 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

The two organizations refer to themselves as "'the Habitat Organizations,'" and the work they have done and remain engaged in deserves thanks. The benefits of their work extend to many species of plants and animals.

 

Both organizations just completed the Call of the Uplands Campaign, "a six-year fundraising and habitat protection effort. It was a success and Anderson quotes Jared Wiklund the media director for PF and QF "the goals were exceeded" including important support to introduce the North American Grasslands Conservation Act."

Anderson introduces us to the new CEO of PF, Marilyn Vetter of New Richland, WI, reports on he hit membership took from COVID-19, the founding of PF to which is owed the "establishment in 1983 of the Minnesota Pheasant Stamp and rallying congressional support for the initial federal Conservation Reserve Program, and attracting new and more diversified members, referred to as "'adult onset hunters'." 

This is a large convention -- ~ 30,000, 400 vendors with very reasonable admission fees. Two evening events are already sold out.  Anderson highlights some of the offerings and also directs our attention to a Star Tribune story February 17, featuring "one entry" in the Upland Film Festival...Hmong hunter Keng Yang of St. Paul."

A press release from Pheasants Forever includes many more details about the conference and what is on offer. 

Anderson's article in the Star Tribune included a stirring photograph by Steve Oelenschlager of a rooster pheasant in full flight over fields bathed in the soft glowing light that speaks the language of autumn.