Longtime member helps spearhead conservation in Nebraska
This year, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever will once again recognize a national “Volunteer of the Year.”
The award celebrates the very best the organization has to offer — the members and volunteers who optimize the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever mission, who seek to protect and grow our wildlife habitat, and who help ensure our heritage continues for generations to come.
We have chosen six finalists (three Pheasants Forever and three Quail Forever) for the award. The winner will be announced at the upcoming National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic, which runs March 7-9 in Kansas City, Missouri.
“Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are dynamic conservation organizations, fueled by the dedication of volunteers,” said Tom Fuller, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s vice president of chapter and volunteer services. “The Volunteer of the Year award seeks to honor individuals who have made a profound impact on our mission. Our volunteer network is a vibrant community of passion and talent. This annual award is a celebration of the remarkable accomplishments of these volunteers, and is intended to inspire others to join the movement for upland conservation.”
Over the course of the next three weeks we’ll get to know each finalist, and celebrate their accomplishments in the world of habitat conservation. The next volunteer we’ll highlight this year is Stuart Anderson.
Let's start by just telling us a little more about yourself. Your history with bird hunting and conservation, how long you’ve been a member of Pheasants Forever, etc.
My name is Stuart Anderson. I live in Minden, Nebraska with my wife and two kids. My passion for pheasant hunting began at a young age when I spent my Saturdays hunting pheasants with my dad in western Nebraska. At first, I wasn’t completely sold on it, it felt more like work compared to sitting in a duck blind or tree stand. But the excitement of flushing roosters won me over. I’ve been a member of Pheasants Forever for 14 years and have served on the Kearney County PF chapter board for 13 years.
What initially spurred you to get involved with your local chapter?
I first got involved with our chapter when a current board member invited me to attend a meeting after I moved back to Minden after college. At that meeting, I was voted onto the board and elected treasurer. When I left the meeting I was wondering what I had just signed up for, but I quickly realized what Pheasants Forever does, both nationally and at the local level, is something I can truly support.
Talk about the work you and your chapter have been doing over the course of the last year.
Our Kearney County chapter is made up of a great group of people. We strive to stay active in our community by promoting the Pheasants Forever name and brand, while having fun. Our annual banquet in September continues to grow each year, allowing us to do a lot with the funds we raise. We make it a priority to support national and state programs, while also focusing on local efforts.
We have hosted a Youth Pollinator Event at the Fort Kearney Outdoor Expo in the spring. We also support our local high school trap team and trap club. The chapter owns a no-till grass drill that is busy in both the spring and fall, and we offer cost-share on seed for landowners in our area who are establishing habitat. We also provide support to neighboring chapters whenever they need it.
In the fall, we hold a hunters education class, which culminates in our youth mentor hunt. Our chapter is always open to new ideas and looking for ways to improve and expand our efforts.
There are over 150,000 Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever members, and just six finalists for Volunteer of the Year. What does it mean to be nominated for this award?
I am deeply honored and humbled by the nomination. I know our chapter wouldn’t have grown as much as it has since I got involved without the incredible group of people on our board. They help turn any ideas we come up with into a reality.