About Pheasants Forever Stearns County - 9
Pheasants Forever Chapter 9
Welcome. We are Minnesota (PF), a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasants and other upland bird populations in North America.
Pheasants Forever is the only national organization with a model of chapters keeping 100% of the funds they raise. While belonging to a larger national organization that has a voice on federal and state conservation policies, chapters are tasked with finding projects for their funds. Minnesota takes full advantage of this model using funds raised for projects locally as well as other areas in the state of Minnesota.
Our Chapter History
The Stearns County chapter of Pheasants Forever (SCPF) was the 9th overall Pheasants Forever Chapter formed in a grouping that has grown to over 600 chapters today. The Stearns Chapter was started in 1982 by a group of Stearns County residents concerned about the continued decline of pheasants and other wildlife in the area.
Pheasants Forever was the only organization that would allow the local chapter to keep all the money they raised and use it in Stearns County and surrounding areas. That made their decision to start a local chapter pretty easy.
SCPF held its first banquet in the Spring of 1983 at the New Munich Ballroom near New Munich, MN and saw an attendance of roughly 250. It didn't take long for the community to realize the benefits of local control of locally raised funds. Attendance has climbed so much that today's banquets attendace packs in approximately 500 people and generates much needed funds to accomplish their mission.
"We grew so much that we just had to move to a bigger facility," said Ralph Feld, SCPF Director. "We didn't want to have to turn people away so our only option was to go to a larger facility."
With the steady increase in banquet attendance, SCPF ramped up its community efforts to give back as much as possible to the community that supports it so well. Since inception, the SCPF has spent over 4.2 million dollars toward their mission, one of only a handful of chapters that can say that. Along with many acquisition partners SCPF has acquired 34 new and/or additions to Wildlife Management Areas (WMA's) and Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA’s) totaling over 4700 acres. SCPF also helps fund a Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologist in Stearns County - this position helps promote and enroll lands into Federal Conservation Programs. SCPF sponsors numerous local conservation events which include: Sponsor Day, Game Feed, Youth Day, Youth Hunts, and partners with several organizations on projects to help make their dollar go farther. SCPF also publishes a quarterly newsletter, FaceBook page and Website pages designed to promote pheasant and other wildlife habitat throughout Stearns County.
Our Chapter Mission
Protect, restore, and enhance wildlife habitat by establishing and maintaining local projects.
- Create, improve, and preserve upland bird habitat
- Foster youth hunting and outdoor activities.
- Develop, distribute and foster conservation education.
- Introduce and advance prudent management of conservation policies.
Pheasants Forever is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education.
5 Million Conservation Dollars Award
At National Pheasant Fest Stearns County Pheasants Forever was presented the Five Million Dollar Conservation Excellence Award.
Pictured are David Stadther, Steve Sellnow, Mark Volkmouth, Ken Olson, keeling Matt Christensen - Regional Pheasants Forever Representative.
Public Land Acquisitions
Stearns County Pheasants Forever’s Public Land Acquisitions
Over the last 28 Years Stearns County Pheasants Forever has purchased or acquired 5,225 Acres. These areas are now classified as DNR Wildlife Management Areas (WMA's) and are open to public hinting. Donations, Banquet, Raffles, and other Revenue generated by Stearns County Pheasants Forever generate primally goes to Land acquisitions and promotion of Youth Shooting.
Complete List of Public Land Acquistions
Latest: Mel Roehrl WMA - North Fork Twp., Raymond Twp.
Stearns County WMA Location Map
Central Minnesota's newest wildlife management area "Veterans State Wildlife Management Area"
This 250-acre management area is located near Clearwater, MN on Highway 24, partially in Stearns county.
About Pheasants Forever
Our local chapter in Stearns County was founded amongst those upland hunters and sportsmen and women in your community. Our goal is to provide those avid outdoormen and women an opportunity to assist in the protection and enhancement of pheasants and other upland bird populations around the local area.
Pheasants Forever was co-founded in 1982 by co-workers at the St. Paul Pioneer Press and Dispatch, outdoor editor Dennis Anderson and national advertising director Jeff Finden. Both recognized a need for habitat restoration and preservation to ensure the future of pheasants and other wildlife.
PF's first publication entitled "Rooster Tales," published in February 1983. This became the forerunner of today's Pheasants Forever Journal of Upland Conservation. The fledgling PF held its first banquet on April 15, 1983, drawing 800 people at the inaugural banquet. In January 2007, PF's third-ever National Pheasant Fest in Des Moines, Washington, became the largest event in PF history, drawing over 24,500 attendees over a three-day span.
Over twenty-five years after its inception, Pheasants Forever has become a grassroots, nationwide upland conservation movement - a national conservation powerhouse. The organization has grown to 110,000 members with over 600 chapters across the U.S. and Canada. Nationwide, Pheasants Forever has spent $260 million on program expenditures, which have helped fund 347,000 habitat projects affecting 4.4 million acres across North America. Along the way, PF has continued to employ the same unique organizational model of empowering local chapters to determine how 100 percent of their locally-raised conservation funds are spent. This local control allows chapters to see the fruits of their chapter efforts in their own communities.
Our Awards
Stearns County Pheasants Forever 4 Million toward Local Habitat and Conservation Projects
Stearns County Chapter's Joe Opitz (Third from left) is chosen as Minnesota Pheasants Forever's Volunteer of the Year 2013! Congratulations Joe, well deserved!
At the Minnesota Pheasants Forever 2013 Convention, Stearns County Pheasants Forever received Conservation Excellence Award for achieving $4,000,000 in contributions toward local habitat and conservation projects. Stearns County Pheasants Forever is only the second chapter in PF history to reach the $4,000,000 mark! Over the last 28 Years Stearns County Pheasants Forever has purchased or acquired 5,225 Acres.
Our Local Habitat Project
We actively partner with other chapters and Washington organization of natural resources on many habitat projects.
- Habitat field days are conducted when opportunities arise.
- We involve young people through activities such as youth hunts and habitat projects.
- Habitat projects and efforts to restore and preserve public lands.
- Contribute to funding purchasing and restoration of local land throughout our community.
Our Fundraising
- Our annual fundraising banquet, which is attended by more than 240 people, generates thousands of dollars. The banquet is held in early February each year.
Who Is Pheasants Forever?
A national organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of habitat for upland game and wildlife throughout the nation.
- Over 145,000 grassroots members and volunteers who have developed more than 10 million acres of pheasant and other wildlife habitat since inception.
- 600 chapters completing over 35,000 projects annually.
What Can You Do To Help?
Please explore our website and discover more about the Pheasants Forever Ringold Chapter 656. You'll find detailed information on all our activities and upcoming events. Let us know what you think; we appreciate your feedback. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact us. We welcome people interested in the Pheasants Forever mission to attend our monthly meetings, listed on our events page.
- Become a Pheasants Forever member or sponsor
- Volunteer your time or resources to our chapter
