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Pheasants Forever: The Habitat Organization

Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs.

Founded in 1982 in response to the continuing decline of ring-necked pheasant populations,Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant and other wildlife populations through habitat improvement, public awareness and education and land management policies that benefit private landowners and wildlife alike. In 28 years Pheasants Forever has grown to more than 100,000 members and 600 chapters while spending more than $100 million on habitat projects encompassing more than 2.3 million acres in North America. At the heart of Pheasants Forever is a unique grassroots system of fundraising and project development that allows members to see the direct result of their contribution. Virtually 100 percent of the funds raised by the chapters, exclusive of membership fees, remain with the chapter. Those funds are expended on habitat projects, public awareness and education programs, and land management policy initiatives, making
Pheasants Forever the most efficient conservation organization in the nation. Pheasants Forever also realizes the benefits of a well-informed citizenry that can make responsible decisions concerning wildlife and land management policies.
In response to this, we have developed programs and materials that promote public conservation education and awareness. Among these are:
 
. Pheasants Forever Journal - a widely recognized national magazine published 5 times a year.
. The Leopold Education Project - an award-winning conservation education curriculum based
 on Aldo Leopold's, A Sand County Almanac
. Ringnecks - Pheasants Forever's youth program which introduces thousands of young people to the outdoors annually.
 
Pheasants Forever stands for the hunter conservationist that wants to make a difference; by creating habitat, restoring wetlands, acquiring key critical wildlife lands for public access, and preserving the legacy of our hunting and conservation heritage.

 

Important NEWS RELEASE

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, January 15

Contact:
Miguel Ayala, Sen. Stabenow - (202) 360-0929
Mary Detloff, Michigan DNRE - (517) 335-3014
Mike Parker, Pheasants Forever - (517) 896-4178
Erin McDonough - (517) 775-9500
 
"Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative" launched

Stabenow, Stokes, Creagh join conservation groups and state agencies to kick-off wild pheasant initiative that promises to improve habitat, increase hunter opportunities.
               BATH, MICH - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Michigan Department of Natural Resources director designate Rodney Stokes, and Michigan Department of Agriculture director designate Keith Creagh today joined together with a partnership of Michigan conservation organizations and representatives of federal and state agencies to kick-off the "Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative," a partnership geared toward restoring wild pheasant habitat in Michigan. The growing partnership currently includes Michigan State Council of Pheasants Forever, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency and Natural Resource Conservation Service.

"I strongly support this program, which we included in the most recent Farm Bill," said U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. "Hunting and outdoor recreation is part of our way of life in Michigan. This program lets our farmers and landowners get added value from their property while opening up access for hunting. This will allow sportsmen from across our state to enjoy all that Michigan's outdoors have to offer."

By providing quality habitat to support the long-term recovery of wild pheasants in Michigan, the Initiative will also benefit other grassland species and create significant opportunities for small game hunters in Michigan. "There are more than 50,000 hunters who pursue pheasants annually in Michigan, and we can do better at meeting their demand for opportunity," says Mike Parker, Pheasants Forever's Regional Wildlife Biologist in the state. "It's a given that when you have quality and quantity habitat, you have pheasants. Revitalizing habitat - nesting cover, escape cover and food and winter cover -  is the key to revitalizing pheasant hunting in Michigan."

 Newly appointed Director for the Department of Natural Resources Rodney Stokes applauded the Initiative as a fresh example of good governing for Michigan's new state agency structure. "This initiative is a great showing of partnership between state and federal agencies and conservation groups, and a good example of how the new Quality of Life executive group will work together," said Rodney Stokes, director designate for the Department of Natural Resources. "It will increase and diversify hunting opportunities in our state, help with hunter recruitment and retention, and the habitat work will benefit many other species. We are very excited to be a part of the effort to rebuild and strengthen pheasant hunting in Michigan."

Two primary goals of the plan are to double Michigan's current pheasant harvest and to increase access to quality hunting lands. The plan will also have a tremendous impact on hunter retention and recruitment in the state. According to Parker, the key difference between past efforts and the new Pheasant Recovery Initiative is the broad landscape scale. "Previous efforts have been successful on smaller scales, improving 40 acres for a landowner here, and 40 acres for a landowner there," Parker said. "But to maximize pheasant hunting, we need to broaden the focus."

Michigan United Conservation Clubs Executive Director Erin McDonough heralded the Initiative as a gateway to recruiting and retaining new hunters. "Many first time hunters' experience comes from hunting small game," said McDonough. "You'll hear from many hunters in Michigan that they got started hunting and appreciating its place in conservation from hunting pheasants when Michigan actually had a good pheasant population. With Michigan ranking last in the nation in hunter recruitment and retention, MUCC is proud to be a part of this Initiative that will help improve hunter opportunities, hunter recruitment and retention and preserve the future of conservation in Michigan."

Along with the Initiative, Michigan DNRE will also be expanding opportunities for public hunting on private lands through the Hunting Access Program. Outreach and education to youth about pheasant hunting is also a priority within the Initiative. The conservation partners will host youth events to explain pheasant needs and habitat as well as an opportunity to share their pheasant hunting heritage with others.

Pheasants Forever Events

Wild Game Dinner  

Pheasant Feast II which was held on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at the Culinary Institute of Michigan (CIM is the new Baker College building downtown across from the Frauenthal), Muskegon County Pheasants Forever awarded $1000 in scholarship money for deserving CIM students. This wild game dinner was an absolute success! The next dinner is now scheduled for February 8, 2012 at CIM.

See our events listing for the coming months by clicking 'events' on the banner bar at the top of the page or use the Events 'Next' button between the ads on the right side of this page. Click on 'More' for additonal information about an event.

 'Discovery Weekend' Jan. 27-29 Offers Women an Opportunity to Explore Ice Fishing, Snowshoeing and More

The Department of Natural Resources will offer a “Winter Discovery Weekend” – designed to give women an opportunity to try a variety of outdoor skills in a fun, safe and non-competitive environment – Jan 27-29 at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center in Roscommon. The event is part of the DNR's Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program, and classes are geared toward beginners, with no skill level required.

Participants choose three classes from among several topics offered, including ice fishing, self-defense basics, wilderness first aid, snowshoeing, hiking, turkey and duck hunting and basic pistol shooting.

Guests should plan to arrive Friday evening between 4 and 9 p.m. On Saturday, guests participate in morning and afternoon classes (three hours each) with breakfast, lunch and dinner provided as part of the paid package. All sessions are taught by experienced volunteer instructors who enjoy the outdoors and have a true desire to share it with others. 

The Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center is located on the north shore of Higgins Lake at 104 Conservation Dr. in Roscommon. The registration fee is $225 and includes two nights of lodging, four meals, all instruction and materials. Registration deadline is Jan. 12.

For registration forms and information on this and other BOW programs, visit www.michigan.gov/bow, call 517-241-2225 or email dnr-outdoors-woman@michigan.gov.

BOW is a noncompetitive program in which each individual is encouraged to learn at her own pace. The emphasis is on the enjoyment, fun and camaraderie of outdoor activities, and sharing in the success of one another.

To See Photos of Our Current Muskegon County Wastewater Habitat Project - Fields of Dreams

Go to the 'Photos' tab on the banner bar at the top of the page. View the spring 2008 spraying of the weeds (included was the invasive species called knap weed) and then view the fall 2008 photos showing the winter rye growing. This spring (2009), the native prairie grasses and wildflowers were planted on the 112 acres while the winter rye cover crop was being sprayed to make room for the grasses and to remove all competitive weed life. See the pictures under the Wastewater Project Spring 2009. The next phase has also begun as 135 acres were sprayed in June, 2009 to kill out the spotted knap weed and other weeds there. Since this spraying, this area was mowed in August and was sprayed again in September 2009 to further eradicate all remaining weeds. These 135 acres were planted with prairie grasses in the Spring of 2010. The third phase has been started as well with planting scheduled for the spring of 2011. Click here to view the article from the Muskegon Chronicle about the 2010 Arbor Day tree and shrub planting event performed with the help of local high school students.

Pheasants Forever Habitat Information

 It is time to think about habitat seed orders for 2012 from Michigan Pheasants Forever.  Please see the HABITAT page for more information. Contact David Farhat at 231-767-0222 with questions.

Please click the 'habitat' button on the far right of the banner bar.
 

Pheasants Forever Education

 Please click on the 'mission' button on banner bar and then click on 'education' button on the far right of the mission page.