Pheasants Forever Benefits 2 Million Acres for Wildlife in Nebraska

Over 40 percent of PFs nationwide habitat work has been generated in the Cornhusker State

Saint Paul, Minn. - February, 2008 - Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) announce a milestone conservation achievement in the state of Nebraska. Since the first PF chapter formed in the state in 1986, PF/QF has completed over 69,000 habitat projects benefiting over 2 million acres for wildlife, making Nebraska the first state where PF/QF has impacted at least 2 million acres. 

All told, Nebraska PF/QF has spent over $20.6 million on wildlife habitat conservation. Those funds have translated into 69,770 habitat projects, benefiting 2,244,946 total acres for pheasants, quail and other wildlife. Nationwide, PF/QF has benefited over 5 million acres across the continent, meaning over 40 percent of those acres have been generated in one state.

In 2004, Nebraska became the first state where PF/QF had impacted at least 1 million acres. And while it took 18 years for PF/QF to reach that mark in the state, it took just three more to reach the 2 million acre mark. The total includes 34,861 nesting projects benefiting 2,084,284 acres and 26,874 food/cover projects benefiting 121,170 acres. 

"Many of the things that PF and QF accomplish in Nebraska are done in the form of partnerships," said Pete Berthelsen, PF/QF Senior Field Coordinator, "We are currently involved in over 40 different partnerships in the state where chapter dollars are matched and multiplied to increase our effectiveness and impact on wildlife habitat. Without those various partners and partnerships, we simply couldnt come close to the impact we are having on wildlife habitat, youth education and habitat equipment." Major partners include the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Nebraska Environmental Trust and Natural Resource Districts, among many others. 

Nebraska is the third-largest PF and QF state with its 63 chapters accounting for 11,000 of the organizations 119,000 members. For the past 4 years in a row, chapters have spent over $2 million each year in the state. For more information on PF and QF in Nebraska, log onto www.NebraskaPF.com. 

Nationwide, PF/QF has spent over $260 million on wildlife conservation and education. Those funds have translated into 370,262 habitat projects affecting 5,003,578 acres across the continent. The 5 million total acres include 2,047,069 nesting acres improved through 111,371 nesting projects and 59,914 acres improved through 2,865 wetland projects. It also includes 127,220 acres of land acquired through 1,062 land acquisitions. 

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education.