The Crowing Post:  3/5/06

Fairbury Native Feeney Named Wildlife Professional of the Year

Pheasants Forever (PF) awarded Mark Feeney, Fish & Wildlife Biologist with the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC) at Sherman Reservoir, the 2006 Nebraska Wildlife Professional of the Year award during PF's annual State Habitat meeting in February. Feeney becomes the 11th recipient of the annual award given to wildlife professionals that go beyond the scope of their normal work duties to help PF achieve its mission.

Over the past several years, Feeney, a member of the Sherman County Chapter of PF, has worked diligently with the Focus on Pheasants partnership to upgrade over 300 acres of land at the Sherman Reservoir State Wildlife Management Area. Focus on Pheasants includes PF chapters, landowners and resource professionals. Since 2003, Feeney has worked closely with the partnership in seeding the acres with legume mixtures. All told, over 1,000 acres of habitat, approximately one-third of the Sherman wildlife area, have been improved by the work of Focus on Pheasants.

"The area used to offer great pheasant and quail hunting, but it dropped off the last 20 years," said Pete Berthelsen, PF's Senior Field Coordinator in Nebraska, "But through the work of Focus on Pheasants and people like Mark, they're helping return the area to its former glory." The Sherman Reservoir State Wildlife Management Area has even served as a demonstration site where landowners can come and witness the impact and outcomes of various land management practices. The Sherman Reservoir was also home to PF's 1 millionth acre Nebraska project in August 2003.

"First of all, I'd like to thank Pheasants Forever. They're a great organization and have worked closely with the Nebraska Game & Parks to improve habitat not only for pheasants, but wildlife in general," Feeney said, "The list of past winners has some fine names on it, and it's great to be recognized in that company."

Feeney has been with the NGPC since 1985. A native of Fairbury, Neb., Feeney currently resides in St. Paul, Neb., with his wife Angela and their 14-year-old twin children Adam and Kelby.

 

 habitat today….pheasants forever!