Central Pennsylvania Home to Two New Pheasants Forever Chapters
Conservationists come together in Blair and Centre Counties
Source: www.pgc.state.pa.us
Published: May. 06, 2008
PENNSYLVANIA- Central Pennsylvania is home to two new Pheasants Forever (PF) chapters. Residents from Blair County have formed the Blair County Chapter of PF, while residents from Centre County have formed the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of PF. Both groups are dedicated to habitat improvement that benefits upland birds, waterfowl, deer and other local wildlife.
Blair County Chapter of Pheasants Forever "We felt there was more that could be done to directly impact the wildlife right here in this area," said Kevin Pruznak of Tyrone, president of the Blair County Chapter of PF, "And we believe that goal is possible with PF's local model."
PF empowers county chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100% of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent - the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure. As a result, chapter volunteers are able to see the fruits of their efforts locally, while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice on federal and state conservation policy.
The Blair County Chapter of PF has also elected Richard Mingle, Jr., of Williamsburg as treasurer, Chris Clouser of Williamsburg as habitat chair, John Moses, Sr., of Altoona as secretary and Tommy Gearheart of Hollidaysburg as youth chair. The chapter will hold its next meeting on Monday, May 12th at 6 PM at Tommy Gearhart's residence, located at RR 2, Box 572 in rural Hollidaysburg. The public and media are invited to attend. For more information about meeting and the chapter, contact Kevin Pruznak at (814)684-1350 or via email at KPruznak@aol.com.
Central Pennsylvania Chapter of Pheasants Forever Conservation leaders with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) led the formation of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of PF, which will be based out of the State College area in Centre County. Leading the chapter as president is USFWS biologist Adam Smith.
"Upland bird habitat will be our priority, and our ultimate goal is to have a self-sustaining wild pheasant population in Penns Valley," Smith said, "But as a habitat organization, we'll also focus on wetland and woodland habitat work as those opportunities arise."
The Central Pennsylvania Chapter of PF has elected Mark Roberts, also with the USFWS, as habitat chair, and retired USFWS biologist Dave Putnam as vice president. Gene Maylock of Spring Mills has been elected recruitment chair, Jason Yablonski of PA Furnace is treasurer and PF habitat specialist Jesse Putnam of Centre Hall is the chapter's banquet chair. The chapter will hold its next meeting on Thursday, May 8th at 6:30 PM at Prospectors Allegheny Rib Company in State College. The public and media are invited to attend.
The chapter will then hold its first fundraising event, a Spring Wing Ding, on Friday, May 16th from 6-9 PM at Prospectors Allegheny Rib Company in State College. Cost for the event is $20, and there will be a host of prizes given away. For more information about the events and the chapter, contact Adam Smith at (814)880-1832 or via email at smitham7@yahoo.com.
Conservation Leadership Pennsylvania is home to 16 PF chapters and over 1,400 PF members. Historically, the chapters have completed 4,720 projects benefiting wildlife on 57,273 acres. If you are interested in starting a PF chapter or joining one of Pennsylvania's existing chapters, contact Shon Robbins, Pheasants Forever Regional Wildlife Biologist in Pennsylvania, at (570)925-5870 or via e-mail at srobbins@pheasantsforever.org.
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 127,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent. Anthony Hauck (651)209-4972
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