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Kandiyohi County Conservationists Named Minnesota's Best

Saint Paul, Minn. - January 30, 2008 - The Kandiyohi County Chapter of Pheasants Forever (PF) was recently recognized as the Minnesota Chapter of the Year by PF at the annual Minnesota PF state meeting. The chapter received the honor at PF's National Pheasant Fest and 25th Anniversary Convention presented by Cabela's in Saint Paul.

This honor recognizes a Minnesota PF chapter that is balanced in its approach to accomplishing the mission of PF and excels in all aspects of being a PF Chapter.  The Kandiyohi County chapter, the first chapter ever formed outside of the parent organization, received the award because it supports PF's conservation mission in numerous ways.

In the past year, the Kandiyohi County chapter has supported PF Habitat Teams, has grown in membership and had several committee members participating in the Minnesota PF State Convention & Summer Habitat Meeting.  In addition, the committee supports their local youth with a kid's camp and partnership trap shoot, and has cost share programs to assist private landowners in their area. The chapter is also a leader in supporting state and federal conservation policy.  The chapter participates in the Minnesota Habitat Fund and is active in improving habitat management on public lands.  

"The Kandiyohi County chapter does it all," stated Eran Sandquist, regional wildlife biologist for PF.  "They throw a great fundraising banquet and leverage those locally raised dollars to bring more resources to bear on the habitat mission locally.  They also reach beyond county lines to help other PF chapters accomplish projects, and simply put, the chapter provides leadership to the entire state on what a local chapter can do."

Two of the chapter's committee members were also recognized at the awards banquet. President Kevin Ochsendorf and Dick Miller were recognized with the PF Dedication Award for being instrumental in the creation or continuation of the chapter, and playing an essential role in the development of chapter programs.
    
"Kandiyohi County PF is fortunate to have a passionate group of committee members," Ochsendorf said, "We want to thank all the volunteers, spouses, banquet attendees, and sponsors who have enabled us to achieve this milestone.  Without their support, none of this would be possible."

The Kandiyohi County chapter formed in 1983. The chapter's next fundraising banquet will be held on April 4th at the Holiday Inn in Willmar.  The public and media are invited to attend.  For tickets or more information, please contact Kevin Ochsendorf at (320)212-2412.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education.  PF/QF has more than 115,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.