Pheasants Forever and its partners are pleased to announce the acquisition of 320 acres in western Minnesota to be designated as the state’s newest Waterfowl Production Area (WPA). Driven by the local efforts of the
Glacial Ridge Chapter of Pheasants Forever, the Stenerson Lake WPA Addition in Pope County will benefit pheasants, waterfowl, and host of other wildlife while amplifying public hunting opportunities in the state’s primary pheasant range.
“This project will add much-needed upland nesting habitat to a unique expanse of Minnesota’s Prairie Pothole Region,” stated Tanner Bailey, president of the Glacial Ridge Chapter of Pheasants Forever. “The Stenerson Lake WPA Addition is a prime example of a small local chapter making an enormous difference for natural resources and public hunting. We’re excited to continue adding quality wildlife habitat in Pope County and surrounding areas. Thanks to the dedicated effort put forth by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Minnesota to make this project a reality.”
Thanks to the conservation commitment of the Laurie Hagen-Fettig Family Trust, the newly acquired Stenerson Lake WPA Addition features 203 acres of restored prairie and 117 acres of wetland habitat that will provide public recreational benefits for Minnesota residents and non-residents alike. In total, 13 formerly-drained wetland basins were overhauled by removing tile, building dikes, and eliminating sediment build-up to restore functionality. Additionally, volunteer trees were removed on 41.7 acres to replicate the original prairie complex that once dominated the landscape of western Minnesota. With a diverse seed mixture of more than 50 native grasses and forbs used for enhancement efforts, the Stenerson Lake WPA Addition represents a standout public property in Pope County.
In addition to hosting multiple Learn-to-Hunt seminars and Youth Pollinator Habitat Program events throughout the years, the Glacial Ridge Chapter has positively spread the mission of Pheasants Forever and worked tirelessly in conserving wildlife habitat, reducing soil erosion, and improving water quality in the Prairie Pothole Region. The chapter has also contributed past funding for highlight acquisitions in Minnesota including the
280-acre Finden WPA and the 74-acre Little Jo Wildlife Management Area.
Funding for the Stenerson Lake WPA Addition was made possible by the Glacial Ridge Chapter of Pheasants Forever, Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, USFWS Partners for Wildlife Program, and the Outdoor Heritage Fund. The property is located six miles south of Glenwood, Minn. on Highway 104, and about two miles west on CR-16 (located on north side of road).
About Minnesota’s Outdoor Heritage Fund
Thirty-three percent of the sales tax revenue from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy amendment is distributed to the
Outdoor Heritage Fund. Those funds "may be spent only to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands, prairies, forest and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife." Pheasants Forever, along with many other non-profit and conservation-minded organizations in Minnesota, have partnered on an annual basis to accelerate its land protection efforts.
About Pheasants Forever
Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 140,000 members and 700 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally raised conservation funds are spent; the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure. Since creation in 1982, Pheasants Forever has spent $784 million on 530,000 habitat projects benefiting 17 million acres nationwide.
Media Contact
Jared Wiklund
(651) 209-4953
jwiklund@pheasantsforever.org