PF Reports Seven New Wildlife Area Additions Through Habitat Conservation Partnership
Saint Paul, Minn. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Pheasants Forever, Inc. announces the completion of seven projects, all additions to existing wildlife areas, that are now open to the public for hunting, fishing, trapping and bird watching. Funds for these projects were provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), PF Chapters, and several partners. Trust Fund dollars originate through the Minnesota State Lottery.
In total, 412 acres of wetlands, grasslands and woodlands were added to enhance the state wildlife management area system or federal waterfowl production area system. Long-term management and stewardship of these lands will be provided by the Minnesota DNR and United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Initial site and habitat development is being completed in partnership with the Minnesota DNR, Pheasants Forever and the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
“Our state wildlife management area system is one of the best in the country,” explained Eran Sandquist, regional wildlife biologist for Pheasants Forever. “Minnesota’s Habitat Conservation Partnership provides a catalyst for partners to work together, make our dollars go farther, and ultimately provide a better place for the wildlife we all love to thrive and prosper.”
Projects completed under the 2007 Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund grant to Pheasants Forever include: Spring Creek WMA 201 acre addition (Becker County); Bench WMA 120 acre addition (Swift County); Henjum Lake WPA 35 acre addition (Kandiyohi County); Copeland WMA 32 acre addition (Otter Tail County); Alvstad WMA 10 acre addition (Grant County); Sangl WMA 80 acre addition (Jackson County); White Bear WMA 50 acre addition (Pope County).
“On the surface, the scope of individual projects may seem small, but when you consider their proximity to other investments in public and private land habitat, the benefits are greater than they appear.” explained Matt Holland, PF’s Senior Field Coordinator. â?oWe are striving to build upon existing habitats one project at a time, along with providing significant public recreation benefits.”
For more information on the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund go to www.lccmr.leg.mn <http://www.lccmr.leg.mn/> and for information on Minnesotaâ?Ts Habitat Conservation Partnership, go to www.mnhabitatcorridors.org <http://www.mnhabitatcorridors.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. PF/QF has more than 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.