Pheasants Forever Honors Partners and Volunteers at Minnesota Convention
Pheasants Forever 02.01.12
Minnesota Pheasants Forever (PF) recognized chapters and individuals from across the state for their wildlife habitat conservation efforts at its recent state convention. The Otter Tail County Pheasants Forever Chapter was named the Minnesota Pheasants Forever Chapter of the Year, Dennis Malmgren of Watonwan was named Minnesota Pheasants Forever Volunteer of the Year, the Minnesota Pheasants Forever Professional of the Year Award was given to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Region 3 (Midwest Region), and the USDA’s NRCS and Minnesota Board of Water and Resources were recognized for the Bill Sandy (Making a Difference) Award.
Minnesota Pheasants Forever Chapter Awards
The Otter Tail County Pheasants Forever Chapter was recognized as the Minnesota Pheasants Forever Chapter of the Year. The chapter supports Minnesota Pheasants Forever’s effort to build the state’s habitat capacity, has grown in membership, and had several committee members participate in the Minnesota Pheasants Forever State Convention, district meetings and an advisory Task Force. Further, the Otter Tail County Pheasants Forever Chapter is a strong proponent of state and federal conservation policy and is active in acquiring and improving habitat management on public lands. In addition, the chapter has worked closely with Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, USDA – NRCS, Minnesota DNR, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, and the Otter Tail Soil Water Conservation District to bring a Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist to Otter Tail County to assist landowners in designing, developing and funding habitat improvements on private lands.
Two of the chapter’s committee members were also recognized at the awards banquet. Aaron Larsen was the recipient of Pheasants Forever’s Dedication Award, and Ilga Polleitis was inducted to Pheasants Forever’s Long Spur Society for being instrumental in the creation or continuation of the chapter and playing an essential role in the development of chapter programs.
Other Minnesota Pheasants Forever Chapter Awards: “Youth Chapter of the Year” – Tri-County PF Chapter • “No Child Left Indoors Youth Programming Award” – Metro Area PF & Lyon County PF • “Most Improved Banquet” – Mower County PF Chapter • “Best Banquet” – NW Suburban PF Chapter • “Conservation Excellence – $250K Spending on Habitat” – Buffalo Ridge PF, Murray County PF • “Conservation Excellence – $500K Spending on Habitat” – Watonwan County PF • “Conservation Excellence – $750K Spending on Habitat” – Kanabec County PF, Pelican River PF, Renville County PF • “Conservation Excellence – $1 Million Spending on Habitat” – Brown County PF Chapter, Mower County PF Chapter • “Conservation Excellence – $2 Million Spending on Habitat” – Goodhue County PF, Kandiyohi County PF • “Conservation Excellence – $3 Million Spending on Habitat” – Nobles County PF
Minnesota Pheasants Forever Overall Awards
Dennis Malmgren, President of Watonwan County Pheasants Forever Chapter, was voted Minnesota Pheasants Forever’s Volunteer of the Year. Malmgren has worked diligently for the past 10 years with partners and volunteers to ensure his community has sustainable wildlife habitat and youth initiatives. Last year, Malmgren led his chapter in completing 48 habitat projects ranging from food plots to land acquisition. Equally important is Malmgren’s leadership in introducing Minnesota’s youth to the outdoors. In 2011, 58 children, along with their parent or guardian, experienced a mentored hunt hosted by Watonwan County Pheasants Forever. An additional 100 children participated in trap shooting.
Other Minnesota Pheasants Forever Awards: “Wildlife Professional of the Year” – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- Region 3 (Midwest Region) • “Bill Sandy (Making a Difference) Award” – USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Minnesota’s Board of Water & Soil Resources – RIM/WRP Partnership • “Brood Booster Award” – Don Baloun, Natural Resources Conservation Service • “Private Donor of the Year” – Dennis & Lauren Leaf
Minnesota is home to 79 Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever chapters, and over 25,800 combined Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever members. For inquiries, please contact Rehan Nana, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Public Relations Specialist, at (651) 209-4973 / Email Rehan.
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.
