Pheasants Forever Expanding Farm Bill Biologist Program in South Dakota
New Mitchell-based position created by Pheasant Country Chapter of Pheasants Forever and SDGF&P
Mitchell, SD – -(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasants Forever announces Greg Wolbrink as the organization’s new Farm Bill Biologist in Mitchell, South Dakota. Wolbrink joins PF after two years as a wildlife technician with South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks (SDGF&P). The new position was created in partnership with the Mitchell-based Pheasant Country Chapter of Pheasants Forever and SDGF&P. Wolbrink will be based out of the USDA Mitchell Service Center’s Natural Resources Conservation Service office.
Pheasants Forever’s Farm Bill Biologist program is designed to educate farmers and landowners about the benefits of conservation programs, as well as assist those farmers and landowners after programs have been implemented. The program originated in South Dakota, and Pheasants Forever now has 36 biologists working in six states – Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. In just over six years, Farm Bill Biologists have contacted and consulted 28,065 landowners, resulting in the improvement of nearly 1.3 million acres! In South Dakota, seven Farm Bill Biologists have contacted and consulted 8,316 landowners, resulting in 434,362 acres that have benefitted from habitat recommendations.
“This is a dream-come-true for local landowners and those who believe in the mission of Pheasants Forever,” said Mike Kuchera, a board member with the Pheasant Country Chapter of Pheasants Forever, “This chapter annually works with 300 landowners a year to create pheasant habitat, and now, with the addition of a local Farm Bill Biologist, we will have the ability to do it even better. Landowners are lining up to have their acreage evaluated by Greg for habitat management.” Pheasant Country chapter president David Allen added that though South Dakota remains the country’s premiere pheasant destination, work is required to keep it that way. “If you’re not working to create habitat, you’re losing habitat,” he said, “The loss of expiring Conservation Reserve Program acres is one of just many serious concerns. A Farm Bill Biologist in this area will help meet these challenges head on.”
“Greg Wolbrink has a diverse background in the wildlife field, from research to working with landowners to solve wildlife-related issues. This experience will come in handy as he assists landowners in finding the right program and funding to meet their personal habitat and land-use goals,” said Jim Inglis, Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologist Coordinator.
A native of Aberdeen, Wolbrink earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from South Dakota State University. He can be contacted at (605) 201-3217 or via email at GWolbrink@pheasantsforever.org. To contact a Farm Bill Biologist in your area, click here. For more information on the Farm Bill Biologist program, contact Jim Inglis, Farm Bill Biologist Coordinator, at (419) 569-1096 or via email at jinglis@pheasantsforever.org.
About:
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 125,000 members in 750 local chapters across the continent.
For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.PheasantsForever.org