Committee members are developing future plans for habitat, access, and R3 initiatives
Montrose, Colo. – April 19, 2021 – Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever in Colorado is pleased to announce the first-ever chapter launch on the state’s Western Slope. Officially chartered as the Western Colorado Chapter of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever #978, local volunteers have begun planning outdoor education opportunities, learn-to-hunt events, and future habitat conservation projects to promote the region’s hunting heritage, protect public lands, and conserve critical wildlife resources.
“The mission of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever aligns closely with the outdoor passions shared by our motivated committee,” stated Ranae Williams, newly elected president for the Western Colorado Chapter of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “Although western Colorado lacks vast acres of CRP, we feel the local chapter model could have wide sweeping, positive impacts for habitat conservation efforts of iconic upland birds and other wildlife. We have big dreams for this chapter and feel that the sky is the limit for what we can accomplish with the right support and enthusiastic volunteers.”
Since 1988, chapter volunteers of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever in Colorado have made impressive strides to conserve wildlife habitat and promote youth education. As a whole, volunteers have spent $15.9 million to complete 8,931 habitat projects to improve 126,317 acres for pheasants, quail, and other western wildlife species. It is this grassroots, local conservation model that will be embraced by Western Colorado Chapter of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever as they contribute to further habitat improvement projects, state initiatives, and hunting/outdoor education events in their region.
Initial steps for the chapter’s launch include partnering with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to promote the group’s Hunters Education instructors, in addition to establishing annual youth and women’s events with local hunt club affiliations. Connecting to the organization’s core mission, volunteers are prepared to begin implementing quality habitat projects for quail, chukar, grouse, and pollinators throughout the region.
“Pheasants Forever in Colorado is thrilled to have a chapter on the Western Slope that can help support our existing Working Lands for Wildlife biologist who has been on the ground for two years,” said Bob Hix, regional representative for Colorado. “The mission of Pheasants Forever transcends the bird on our logo to include diverse species and stakeholders; all of which our new chapter hopes to engage with. Additionally, their fondness for education and outreach will help this dedicated group deliver each pillar of the organization’s mission.”
The chapter will host monthly meetings on the last Sunday of each month at 9am. Hunters and conservationists interested in joining the chapter as volunteers are encouraged to attend. For more information about the chapter or to become involved, please contact chapter president, Ranae Williams, at ranae.williams@csuglobal.edu.
For more information about Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever in Colorado, to join a chapter or inquire about starting a chapter, contact Bob Hix at (303) 743-8957 / Email.
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 130,000 members and 780 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Since creation in 1982, Pheasants Forever has spent over $950 million on 560,000 habitat projects benefiting 20 million acres nationwide. In fact, more than 212,000 of those acres are now permanently protected as public lands.
Media Contact
Jared Wiklund
Jwiklund@Pheasantsforever.Org
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