Plymouth, Minn. - July 12, 2007 - Hennepin County residents have formed the Northwest Suburban Chapter of Pheasants Forever (PF). The new chapter is the fourth in Hennepin County, and the group plans to engage local youth interested in the outdoors.
"I've supported Pheasants Forever as a member for years. I wanted to do more, and today was the time to start," stated Tim Naumann, the chapter's newly-elected president. "We want to ensure the future of our hunting heritage, and that starts with our youth. Adopting the successful PF model seemed to make a lot of sense. We can ensure that the next generation of hunter/conservationists enjoys the same days afield we've enjoyed."
The fact that the chapter has control over its fundraising dollars is something the newly-formed committee felt very strongly about. "The localized PF model means a lot to me personally and to all the folks involved with the creation of this chapter. The local control allows us to put on youth events for local kids and to make decisions about statewide habitat issues, rather than letting others decide for us," stated Naumann.
PF applies a unique and successful model of empowering local chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. PF is the only national conservation organization to employ this unique locally-driven chapter model.
"One of our first priorities will be to work with community businesses and natural resource agencies to create a Youth Conservation Day, in which local youth will have an opportunity to learn about wildlife, firearms safety and conservation," said Bruce Behm, the NW Suburban chapter's youth chair. "Reaching kids in the community that have an interest in hunting, but that wouldn't normally have an opportunity to participate is our goal.""Minnesota's 72 chapters and 23,000 members welcome the NW Suburban chapter to the ranks of Pheasants Forever," remarked Eran Sandquist, PF's regional wildlife biologist for northern Minnesota. "And we look forward to working with the local committee to invest in youth and habitat conservation for a better tomorrow."
The NW Suburban chapter plans to hold their next meeting Tuesday, July 18 at 7 PM at the Radisson Lounge in Plymouth. The public and media are invited to attend. For more information on the chapter and the upcoming meeting, contact Naumann at [email protected].
Other chapters in Hennepin County include the Metro Area, Minnesota Valley and West Hennepin County chapters. For more information on PF in Minnesota, to start a chapter or join an existing chapter, contact Eran Sandquist at (763)242-1273 or via email at [email protected].
Minnesota's 73 PF chapters account for over 23,000 members statewide. Those chapters have spent more than $23.8 million to complete over 20,000 habitat projects since the first Minnesota PF chapter was formed in 1982. Those projects have benefited more than 170,000 acres for wildlife.
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. PF/QF has more than 115,000 members in 700 local chapters