Pheasants Forever Gives Youngsters a Voice On Conservation-New Youth Leadership Council Formed
Source: www.uplandalmanac.com
Published: Sep. 26, 2006
Pheasants Forever (PF) has selected 19 youths from around the country to form the first National Youth Leadership Council. The participants, ages 10 to 16, will serve as advisors and spokespeople for their age group on issues related to the outdoors, conservation, hunting and PF.
The National Youth Leadership Council is the brainchild of Cheryl Riley, PF’s youth program coordinator. “At Pheasants Forever, we believe kids are able to speak and think for themselves. They have valuable things to say about the outdoors and we are eager to listen to them and learn from them,” reported Riley. Participants in the council will be asked to offer content ideas for the PF youth magazine “Upland Tales,” as well as content suggestions for the PF website.
The participants will also discuss outdoor youth activities and youth-related initiatives for PF chapters and the national headquarters. Riley will seek input from the participants through phone calls, conference calls and emails. “It’s no secret that youth participation in hunting and the outdoors is declining at an alarming rate.
That participation in the outdoors is critical to creating the passion for nature. That passion is what translates into a desire to be good land stewards as adults,” added Riley. “It is our hope that this new Youth Leadership Council will provide us with the tools to engage today’s youngsters in conservation, camping, fishing and our hunting heritage.”
When asked why he would like to serve on the council, Tyler Baer replied, “My brother, sister and I have been involved with the outdoors and wildlife conservation with my parents since I was born. Through my experiences, I can show you are never too young to use our resources, but you also have to protect them for the future.”
And Rylee Young, who is one of seven girls on the council, offered her perspective, “I would like to promote hunting to kids, particularly girls. I would like to show them how enjoyable hunting is. I have been hunting for the last four years with my dad who has been involved with the local Pheasants Forever chapter for several years. I was involved in a youth mentor hunt last fall and have also been to several banquets.”
Youths interested in joining PF can sign up for a Ringnecks youth membership. The Ringnecks membership comes with a year’s subscription to the Upland Tales magazine (four issues), a Ringnecks membership card and an invitation to your local PF chapter banquet.
To sign up, call PF toll free at (877) 773-2070 or log onto the PF website at www.PheasantsForever.org. Ringnecks membership is $15 annually.
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