Pheasants Forever Benefits 5 Million Acres for Wildlife in 25 Years

Over 370,000 local habitat projects have helped PF improve 5 million acres across North America

Since its inception in 1982, PF has completed over 370,000 projects which have benefited more than 5 million acres of wildlife habitat across North America.

Since its inception in 1982, PF has completed over 370,000 projects which have benefited more than 5 million acres of wildlife habitat across North America.

Saint Paul, Minn. - January 14 -

In its silver anniversary year, Pheasants Forever (PF) announces a milestone conservation achievement. Since its inception in 1982, PF has completed over 370,000 projects which have benefited more than 5 million acres of wildlife habitat across North America.

Nationwide, PF - which will formally celebrate its 25th Anniversary at National Pheasant Fest in Saint Paul, Minnesota, January 18th, 19th and 20th, 2008 – has spent over $260 million on wildlife conservation and education. Those funds have translated into 370,262 habitat projects affecting 5,003,578 acres across the continent. These 5 million acres includes work accomplished by Quail Forever (QF, Pheasants Forever's quail division launched in 2005) and Habitat Forever, which includes PF's habitat specialist teams.

The 5 million total acres include 2,047,069 nesting acres improved through 111,371 nesting projects and 59,914 acres improved through 2,865 wetland projects. It also includes 127,220 acres of land acquired through 1,062 land acquisitions. All PF land acquisitions are accomplished in partnership with state game agencies and/or the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Land acquisitions are then opened to the public for hunting and other compatible outdoor recreation activities.

"Eclipsing the 5 million acre mark is a testament to the organization’s unique local model and dedicated volunteers everywhere," said Howard Vincent, PF/QF National President and CEO. PF and QF are the only national conservation organization that operate through a truly grassroots structure. PF and QF empower county chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100% of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. As a result, chapter volunteers are able to see the fruits of their efforts locally, while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice on federal and state conservation policy. Currently, there are more than 118,000 PF/QF members in over 700 chapters across the U.S.

"This milestone achievement also points to Pheasants Forever's efficiency as an organization and our commitment to our mission – putting dollars directly back into the ground for the betterment of pheasants, quail and other wildlife," Vincent added. For the fourth consecutive year, PF received the highest possible rating from Charity Navigator, the nation's largest charity evaluator. PF earned a 4-star rating on Charity Navigator's 0-4 rating scale. Only 5% of the charities rated by Charity Navigator have received at least four consecutive 4-star evaluations.

Anthony Hauck (651)209-4972

Pheasants Forever is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasants, quail and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness and education. Such efforts benefit landowners and wildlife alike.