High Plains chapter of Pheasants Forever named Habitat 'Chapter of the Year'

The High Plains Chapter of Pheasants Forever was awarded the 2015 Habitat Chapter of the Year Award at the organization's national convention last week.

The award was presented to the local chapter at the National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic, the group's largest event, held in Kansas City.

The Habitat Chapter of the Year Award is bestowed on the leading chapter for habitat conservation and mission delivery over the course of the year.

"These model affiliates show what's possible when chapters develop a strong core of dedicated volunteers, build solid local, state and federal-level partnerships, and become actively engaged in their local communities," said Howard Vincent, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever president and CEO. "Congratulations to all of the award-winning chapters who are setting a positive example for their peers, communities and upland hunters in the United States."

Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Its local High Plains Chapter of Pheasants Forever has been working locally since 1990 to help restore wildlife populations.

The local chapter has spent more than $632,000 since 1990 to complete 2,821 habitat projects benefitting wildlife on 41,292 acres. The group has also held 15 youth mentor hunts since 2001 for over 175 young boys and girls, and planted over 1.1 million trees and shrubs since 1990.

"The Habitat Chapter of the Year is not the only awards the group has won," said Heather Roberts, marketing officer for the High Plains chapter of Pheasants Forever.

At the Nebraska State Habitat meeting held Feb. 13 in Kearney, Roberts said the chapter was awarded the "Rainmaker Award" for highest net profitability at a chapter banquet. The group also took home a second award for the highest memberships sold through a local chapter.

"Cheyenne County currently has over 230 members in our internal group, and has 19 chapter officers and chair positions," said Brad Lines, vice president of the Nebraska State Habitat Council and the local Pheasants Forever chapter president.

According to Lines, the local chapter looks forward to working on a few projects to benefit Cheyenne County.

"We plan on having several projects," he said. "First, our primary goal is to help private and public cooperators planting and improving wildlife habitat. Second, we plan on conducting a pollinator project with local third graders on the importance of the honey bee, monarch butterflies and other pollinating insects, and giving them a place to thrive.

"The kids actually plant and spread the seed. We have a series of classes that educate them on the importance of habitat and how their food plot will better the pollinators and other wildlife."

The High Plains Chapter of Pheasants Forever will its annual banquet on March 4.

"We expect to have 500-600 people at our banquet this year, and it will be held at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds," Lines said. "This is our primary fundraiser, and all proceeds will go towards habitat and projects here in Cheyenne County. We have a live and silent auction, gun raffles, general raffles, and games of chance to win wonderful prizes. The banquet will be catered by Outlaw Café out of Gurley. Tickets and membership can be purchased at the door."

For more information on the program or the annual banquet, contact Lines at (308) 250-1404.