New Pheasants Forever Chapter in the “Pheasant Capital of the World”
Pheasants Forever 10.07.14
Chapter encourages Spink County residents to take part in wildlife habitat conservation efforts
Residents of South Dakota’s Spink County have formed the newest Pheasants Forever chapter in the country. Officially known as the Spink County Pheasants Forever chapter, local citizens have partnered for a common goal of increased wildlife habitat and improved recreational opportunities for area youth.
“We are proud to be based in the ‘Pheasant Capital of the World’ and are eager to start making a difference for wildlife in Spink County,” said Brett Knox, elected president for Spink County Pheasants Forever chapter. “Residents in this area have a unique opportunity to use the local model provided by Pheasants Forever and move this chapter in a positive direction for wildlife and youth. We encourage those in the county who have a passion for conservation to join our group and be part of something special.”
The creation of Spink County Pheasants Forever chapter comes at a crucial time for South Dakota’s pheasant population and commitment to natural resources. Recent developments by the state’s Pheasant Habitat Work Group have produced recommendations for sustaining the world’s largest populations of pheasants. In addition, Pheasants Forever has opened its first-ever regional headquarters in South Dakota as the organization ramps up efforts to address substantial habitat losses and land use changes.
“We are thrilled to add a chapter in Spink County, a place where the tradition of pheasant hunting in South Dakota has very strong roots,” said Mike Stephenson, Pheasants Forever’s regional representative in South Dakota. “The current members of Spink County Pheasants Forever chapter are highly engaged in the natural resources field and with their training, I am eager to see what they will accomplish for our wildlife habitat conservation efforts in the area.”
Spink County Pheasants Forever Chapter
- The Spink County Pheasants Forever chapter has elected Brett Knox of Doland as president, Jamison Winter of Redfield as secretary, Samuel Fryman of Redfield as habitat chair, Dennis Clemens of Redfield as banquet chair, and Alex Hunley of Redfield as youth/education chair.
- The chapter will host an annual fundraising banquet on Saturday, November 22 at the 4-H building within the Spink County fairgrounds.
- For more information about the chapter or to become involved, please contact chapter president, Brett Knox, at (605) 460-0075 / knox.brett@gmail.com
Pheasants Forever in South Dakota
South Dakota’s 32 Pheasants Forever chapters account for 6,000 members statewide. Those chapters have spent $4.8 million to complete 24,000 habitat projects since the first South Dakota chapter formed in Minnehaha County in 1985. Those projects have improved 360,000 acres for wildlife. For more information regarding Pheasants Forever in the state or to start a local chapter, contact Mike Stephenson, regional representative for Pheasants Forever at (605) 651-2716 / email.
Contact
Jared Wiklund (651) 209-4953
Pheasants Forever launched Quail Forever in August of 2005 to address the continuing loss of habitat suitable for quail and the subsequent quail population decline. Bobwhite population losses over the last 25 years range from 60 to 90 percent across the country. The reason for the quail population plunge is simple - massive losses of habitat suitable for quail. There are five major factors leading to the losses of quail habitat; intensified farming and forestry practices, succession of grassland ecosystems to forests, overwhelming presence of exotic grasses like fescue that choke out wildlife, and urban sprawl.
