Ohio Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Announce 2008 Habitat Accomplishments

Spend $1 million on habitat mission for third straight year; State Meeting this weekend

Waldo, Ohio - For the third consecutive year, Ohio's Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) chapters have surpassed the $1 million mark in expenditures, spending $1,066,731 on the organization's wildlife habitat mission in 2008. Ohio PF/QF celebrated these accomplishments at the Annual Ohio PF/QF State Meeting on Saturday, January 24th, at the All Occasions in Waldo.

During the year, Ohio chapters completed 949 habitat projects impacting 6,001 acres; planted 18,685 trees and shrubs for winter cover; engaged 1,224 youth in mentor hunts, 487 youth in target shooting, 194 youth in conservation camp and 2,563 youth in other related outdoor events; issued $1,510 in sponsoring educational workshops and offered 18 scholarships for $4,550. Additionally, a 90-acre property in Union County became the second property in the nation donated to PF/QF's Forever Land Trust, and a pilot program in northwest Ohio called the Ohio Upland Habitat Initiative (OUHI) was launched to focus habitat funding in a specific focus area.

The State Meeting included a Friday Night Social, and meetings and presenters from wildlife experts from Ohio and across the nation. Howard Vincent, PF/QF National President and CEO attended the State Meeting. The weekend concluded on Sunday with the 6th Annual Shoot at Blackwing Shooting Center.

"Ohio's Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever chapters have come a long way since the first chapter formed in 1989 and have much to be proud of," said Doug Bensman, PF/QF Regional Wildlife Biologist in the state, "The evolution of the organization here in Ohio has been impressive. The credit goes to the dedicated and passionate chapters and members. The State Meeting is a great opportunity to come together and celebrate the accomplishments but also to look at the challenges ahead."

Ohio has 36 PF/QF chapters accounting for 6,100 members statewide. Those chapters have spent more than $7.5 million to complete over 15,000 habitat projects. Those projects have benefited 123,000 acres for wildlife.

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 130,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

For additional information please visit www.PheasantsForever.org and www.QuailForever.org.