Chapter charter signed by volunteers on April 22 at St. Cloud’s Pantown Brewing Company

Upland hunters and public land supporters gathered this week to kick off Pheasants Forever’s newest experiment to engage a subset of urban, conservation-minded supporters. A chapter charter was signed for the new Minnesota Public Lands Chapter of Pheasants Forever on Monday evening at Pantown Brewing Company. Local volunteers will spearhead fundraising efforts for conservation with a singular purpose aimed at increasing quality, publicly accessible habitat.

“In the world of upland birds, nothing is more thrilling than helping purchase, restore, hunt and harvest on public lands that you as an individual played a part in creating,” said Chance Steward, regional representative for western Minnesota and the organization’s liaison for the new chapter. “We have the ability to raise money, match it at 40:1 through programs and initiatives, and invest those funds in the most impactful projects throughout the state. That is the approach we’re advocating for here, a chapter without borders focused exclusively on funding land acquisition and enhancement where it is needed most.”

Pheasants Forever marketing research suggests that public lands hold a much higher relevancy for the organization’s younger, urban demographic who rely exclusively on public access opportunities for outdoor recreation. The new Minnesota Public Lands Chapter directly addresses this challenge by solely funding strategic land acquisitions, walk-in access, and habitat enhancement projects in the name of public interest.

The new chapter is one of many tactics Pheasants Forever is utilizing to meet the goals of its 2024-2026 Strategic Plan. Acknowledging the need for conservation delivery at an increasing magnitude, this detailed, actionable, and science-based approach includes bold chapter strategies to support landscape-level initiatives. The Minnesota Public Lands Chapter of Pheasants Forever is prepared to play a role in this new endeavor while creating engaged conservationists for the future.

“The Public Lands Chapter is a new and exciting way to build future chapters in urban centers,” added Steward. “When volunteers help permanently protect state and federal public properties, we are simultaneously making birds, providing access, and supporting rural communities through this important work. If you live in central Minnesota, we want you to be part of this chapter and help create more public land opportunities.”

For more information about the new Minnesota Public Lands Chapter of Pheasants Forever or for opportunities in other states, contact Chance Steward at CSteward@PheasantsForever.Org.