First Operational Period for the PA PF & QF Rx Burn Team

Pennsylvania PF & QF State Council's Prescribed Burn Team conducted
their first official Rx burn this past April.  Thanks to the State Council and
PA chapter fundraising, the burn team was able to gather enough safety
equipment and tools to plan and implement Rx burns safely and effectively. 
Grasslands should receive some kind of disturbance at least once every
three years.  Prescribed burns are one of the best ways to manage
grasslands for structural integrity and diversity.
 

To find out more about PA PF & QF's Rx Burn Team, contact one of the PF/QF
Biologists or Habitat Specialists on the Contacts page of this website.

Farm Bill site tour with Congressman Thompson

Kneeling L to R; Bryan Conklin, NRCS; Jesse Putnam, Habitat Forever; David Putnam, The Foundation for California University of Pennsylvania; Mike Pruss, Pennsylvania Game Commission; Clint Riley, USFWS; Aaron Brown, Habitat Forever
Standing L to R;  Ann Donovan, Centre County Conservation District; Dr. Bill Sharpe, Landowner; John Sloyer, Habitat Forever; Justin Markey, USFWS; Patrick Ciarrocchi USFWS; Scott Heckman, NRCS; Adam Smith, USFWS; Peg Hosterman, Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation; Shon Robbins, Pheasants Forever; PA 5th District Congressman Glenn Thompson; Mark Roberts, USFWS; Lysle Sherwin, Penn State Center for Watershed Stewardship

On Monday, August 29, 2011 the Central PA PF chapter hosted a Farm Bill site tour with Congressman Glenn Thompson, PA.  The visit was held Sinking Creek Farm in Spring Mills, PA.  Sinking Creek at the  farm suffered eroded stream banks and poor fish habitat from years of livestock access and poor riparian protection.  The in-stream and riparian restoration was completed in cooperation with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative and a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant.  The Central PA Habitat Forever crew completed most of the work.  Congressman Thompson was given a tour of the restoration project followed by a cookout lunch and good Farm Bill conversation with PF members and agency partners.  Discussion included the success of Farm Bill programs in PA such as CREP, EQIP, WHIP, WRP, CBWI and others.  Support for conservation programs in the next Farm Bill was requested of the Congressman, as well as PA's CREP amendment pending in DC.

Mudsill Construction

Mudsill Construction

Pheasants Forever (PF) is a non-profit, conservation organization formed in 1982. PF was created in response to the continuing decline of upland wildlife throughout the country.  Quail Forever (QF) was formed by Pheasants Forever, Inc. in 2005 in response to a demand for an organization to help quail recovery utilizing the same model as PF.  Nationwide, PF & QF has 740+ chapters in 36 states and 3 Canadian Provinces and 128,000+ members.

Our objective is simple: to raise funds for local habitat projects, conservation education, and other worthy conservation causes. The unique financial structure of PF & QF allows local chapters to maintain 100% of the funds generated, other than membership dollars, for projects in their area. With 90% of every dollar raised going to program services, PF & QF are the most cost effective wildlife conservation groups in the Country.

We work with landowners and local resource agencies to establish wildlife habitat, provide equipment to establish habitat, promote conservation education and develop new habitat programs in the state.

Pennsylvania has 15 PF chapters and 1 QF chapter with over 2,000 members.  Since 1987, Pennsylvania PF & QF chapters have spent over $6.5 million in the state on 5,973 habitat projects benefiting 71,897 acres, specialized equipment and conservation education.   Additionally, PA PF & QF chapters have held or sponsored conservation and hunting education events for over 3,200 youth.

New York has 8 PF chapters and over 900 members.  Since 1985, New York PF chapters have spent over $437,000 in the state on 3,488 habitat projects benefiting 39,927 acres, specialized equipment and conservation education.  Additionally, NY PF chapters have held or sponsored conservation and hunting education events for over 1,200 youth.

Maryland has one PF chapter and over 200 members.  Since 1994, Maryland PF has spent over $68,500 in the state on 99 habitat projects benefiting 1,750 acres, specialized equipment and conservation education.  Additionally, MD PF chapters have held or sponsored conservation and hunting education events for over 400 youth.

New Jersey has one PF chapter and over 190 members. Since 2005, New Jersey PF has spent over $41,500 in the state on 11 habitat projects benefiting 207 acres, specialized equipment and conservation education.  Additionally, NJ PF chapters have held or sponsored conservation and hunting education events for over 250 youth.

West Virginia; From 1995 to 2007, WV PF spent over $47,000 in the state on 90 habitat projects benefiting 2,645 acres, specialized equipment and conservation education.

Maine; From 2002 to 2003, ME PF spent over $1,100 in the state on 7 habitat projects benefiting 59 acres, specialized equipment and conservation education.

Rhode Island formed its first PF chapter in 2010.  To become an active part of the Rhode Island chapter, find their contact information on the "Chapters" page of this website and watch for their events listed.

Throughout this website, you'll be able to learn about the many unique partnerships PF & QF have developed in the Northeast Region. Contact a Biologist to find out where to locate no-till grass drills and other habitat equipment, learn where the next Youth Mentor Hunt event will occur and how to join this great organization.

If you've never been a member before, now is the time to join... we need your support and will be able to improve more habitat with your membership!

For more information on Pheasants Forever Nationally visit www.pheasantsforever.org.