Milestone Reached by Elkhorn Valley Pheasant Forever Chapter
Pheasants Forever has announced that the Elkhorn Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever, the first-ever Pheasants Forever chapter in the state of Nebraska, topped the $1 million mark in dollars spent on habitat projects.
Since it’s inception in 1986, the Elkhorn chapter has spent $1,050,819 on 4,124 projects which have affected 143,775 total acres in Madison, Stanton and Pierce Counties in Northeastern Nebraska.
Five years ago, the chapter, which is Nebraska’s second largest with over 900 members, set a goal to reach the $1 million mark.
“The accomplishment is huge for our chapter,” said chapter president Thad Murren, “The people in these communities stand behind us 150 percent. They believe in what Pheasants Forever does.”
For Murren, who has been the chapter’s president the past six years, seeing his chapter spend over $1 million on habitat projects was extremely gratifying.
“One of my lifelong dreams was to be involved with this organization,” Murren said, “I truly believe in its mission.”
“It’s a testament to the Elkhorn Valley chapter’s hard work and determination,” said Keith Brus, Pheasants Forever Regional Wildlive Biologist in Nebraska, “Elkhorn Valley epitomizes what a Pheasants Forever chapter should be.”
In its 20 year history, the chapter has completed thousands of critical habitat projects benefiting pheasants and countless other species of wildlife. The chapter has also sponsored 11 youth mentor hunts introducing 263 area boys and girls to hunting and wildlife conservation.
>From 2001-04, Elkhorn Valley chapter spent at least $100,000 on habitat projects each year, including a high of $195,178 in 2001. Since 2000, the chapter has completed over 300 habitat projects every year, including a high of 439 projects in 2003.
Winter cover/flood plots have constituted the majority of those projects, with the chapter completing over 100 every year since 2000.
The Elkhorn Valley chapter will be formally recognized for the $1 million accomplishment at their 22nd annual banquet March 15, at 5:30 p.m. at the Norfolk city Auditorium in Norfolk. The public is invited to attend. For more information, contact Thad Murren at ElkhornValley@NebraskaPF.com
Story courtesy of Norfolk Daily News
Posted on: Friday, March 9, 2007