Habitat & Conservation  |  02/27/2025

Northern Minnesota Gains New Chapter of Pheasants Forever


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Chapter volunteers will promote the organization’s mission

Pheasants Forever (PF) is proud to introduce the newest chapter in Minnesota. Covering Beltrami County and the greater northwestern Minnesota region, the Wings & Water Chapter volunteers are excited to generate involvement in conservation efforts on local public lands. 

Unique among national conservation organizations, chapters of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever retain 100 percent decision-making control over fundraising dollars, allowing volunteers to support impactful wildlife habitat projects, public access initiatives and conservation education programs throughout the upland bird range. PF’s western Minnesota regional representative, Chance Steward, will work closely with the new chapter to support the organization’s vision to sustain abundant populations of wild pheasants, quail and other wildlife. 

“This chapter represents an incredible opportunity to bring together passionate conservationists in a region rich with public lands and diverse wildlife,” Steward said. “They will serve as a hub for habitat restoration, water quality initiatives, and community engagement with other conservation partners. Uniting around a shared commitment to conservation, we’re ensuring that the wild landscapes of northern Minnesota remain genuine and accessible for generations to come.”

With opportunities to access public lands, the chapter will focus on restoring and expanding these acres. Despite being outside of the pheasant range, this chapter is committed to supporting Pheasants Forever's national programs while also working to increase wildlife habitat quantity and quality for deer, ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, waterfowl and more. The chapter’s next meeting will be March 11 at 7:00 pm at Lazy Jack’s Bar and Grill in Bemidji. 

To learn more about the Wings & Water Chapter of Pheasants Forever, contact chapter president Briar Verbout at bverbout@gmail.com. For more information about Pheasants Forever in Minnesota, contact Chance Steward at CSteward@PheasantsForever.org