Building Support, Building Tradition, Building Wildlife Areas
The Build a Wildlife Area campaign has quickly evolved into one of PF's most successful, efficient, and rewarding wildlife habitat conservation initiatives
Source: http://pheasantsforever.org/
Published: Nov. 04, 2009
Imagine a scenario when individuals, corporations, small businesses, non-profit organizations and government entities work together.
Look no further than the national healthcare debate to understand how difficult it is for real results to materialize from such situations. That's what makes the accomplishments of Pheasants Forever's Build a Wildlife Area campaign even more remarkable. In an era of selfish and special interests, the Build a Wildlife Area campaign has become a living study in varied entities banding together for one common purpose. The concept remains the same as day one – raise funds for the acquisition of land that is critical as wildlife habitat. The unique mechanism is still in place – put 100 percent of the funds raised directly toward land acquisitions utilizing state and federal grants that triple contributions. And the success stories are starting to pile up. Six years after launching in Minnesota, Build a Wildlife Area campaigns have sprouted up in Iowa, Wisconsin, South Dakota and, most recently, Illinois and Ohio. All told, the respective campaigns have helped create over 4,300 acres of new wildlife areas, all open to public hunting and outdoor recreation. Support Right from the get-go, the support to sustain the Build a Wildlife Area campaign was there, as Pheasants Forever National and the Anoka County (Minnesota) Chapter of Pheasants Forever combined forces with Outdoor News, Gander Mountain and Game Fair to launch the initial effort in 2003. "They all recognized the idea was a good one, provided financial support and helped spread the campaign's message," said Joe Duggan, Pheasants Forever's Vice President of Corporate Relations and the architect of the Build a Wildlife Area campaign. Other supporters, including Ron Schara Enterprises, Federal Premium Ammunition, Apple Auto Group, and KFAN Radio were soon on board. Individual support has been equally as vital to the campaign. "I thought it was one of the greatest ideas I've seen in a long time," said Minnesotan Dan Peterson, a yearly contributor to the state's campaign. "With the price of land, many people are becoming boxed out, and in some respects, hunting is becoming a rich man's game. This is a great way to open up opportunities, and involving so many partners makes it win-win across the board. I'll continue contributing to the Build a Wildlife Area campaign as long as I'm alive." The backing of local Pheasants Forever chapters has provided a backbone to the Build a Wildlife Area campaign as well. Joe Gonsior and the Anoka County Chapter of Pheasants Forever were instrumental in the formation of the first-ever effort in 2003, and the chapter annually contributes $10,000 to Minnesota's efforts, while the Montgomery County Chapter of Pheasants Forever led the inaugural Illinois campaign. "Many chapters have seen the value of the campaign," said Jim Inglis, Pheasants Forever's Farm Bill Biologist Coordinator who has spearheaded campaign efforts in Ohio, "This again points to the effectiveness of Pheasants Forever's model that keeps all spending decisions right at the chapter level. Chapters are seeing that although a project might not be in their immediate area, the campaign is a worthy cause from a mission standpoint. And someday, we hope to make a Build a Wildlife Area project a reality in every chapter's backyard." Tradition One of the initial Build a Wildlife Area campaign goals was to establish an annual tradition. "From the beginning, we set out to create an annual tradition of giving to the campaign," said Howard Vincent, PF's National President and CEO, "Building tradition is based on successful results. The Build a Wildlife Area campaign gives every person – literally every person – the opportunity to play a part in ensuring our wildlife and outdoor heritage. Contributors know they played a part in the end result, and have left something tangible for the tradition to continue." Rob Drieslein, Managing Editor at the Outdoor News Publications, agrees. "When I hunt or hike a chunk of public land or wilderness, I'm very thankful for the foresight that helped create it generations ago," he said, "There are very few times in people's lives when they get to leave a legacy. Some people never get that chance, period. Build A Wildlife Area has been one of those times for all of the volunteers and organizers who have made it happen. Outdoor News is very proud to have played a small role, and we look forward to making Build A Wildlife Area efforts continue to happen for years to come." Particularly heartwarming is the number of memorial contributions to the Build a Wildlife Area campaign. "It's a very real, meaningful and genuine way of saying 'Thank You' to those who've helped mold you," said Toby Buck, a member of the Pheasants Forever National Board of Directors who's significant Build a Wildlife Area contribution helped create the Buck Family Wildlife Management Area in Goodhue County, Minnesota. Build a Wildlife Area 2.0 Going forward, Pheasants Forever feels there is opportunity to establish Build a Wildlife Area campaigns in more places. "This is a proven method now, and there is no reason it can't be replicated," Duggan said, "It's a matter of identifying new partners and building those grassroots efforts." The long-term goal is to create a sound Build a Wildlife Area financial reserve that can be drawn upon when land acquisition opportunities become available. "We're not after every piece of land. We are looking for strategic pieces with high wildlife values," Duggan said, "And some of those parcels become available with such infrequency – once in a lifetime – that we have to be in a position to act." For example, the Cortright Wildlife Area in Buchanan County, Iowa, is over 150 forested and river frontage acres and is part of the Wapsipinicon River Corridor - one of the longest continuous stretches of natural and scenic river corridors in the state. "The Cortright parcel is critical habitat for a host of other wildlife species," said Matt O'Connor, PF's Director of Conservation Programs for Iowa, "That's the kind of high wildlife value we look to protect with these campaign dollars." Your Investment "We don't look at contributions to the Build a Wildlife Area campaign as simply 'donations,'" Duggan said, "We treat them as investments. People value the mission of Pheasants Forever and the Build a Wildlife Area campaign, and make an investment because of that belief." "Our goal is to ensure a high return on that investment," he said. "There are few financial investments these days where you know it's going to be tripled, but that's what Build a Wildlife Area does through its matching funds - $50 immediately becomes $150." After that initial return, it's about the rubber hitting the road and making those long-term gains happen. "In terms of protecting habitat, the Build a Wildlife Area campaign has, in just six years, provided great investment returns by protecting habitat and providing more places to enjoy wild spaces." Become a Campaign Worker! To make your tax-deductable contribution to Pheasants Forever's Build a Wildlife Area Campaign, call toll-free at 1-877-773-2070 or log onto www.BuildaWildlifeArea.org Anthony Hauck is Pheasants Forever's Public Relations Specialist Anthony Hauck (651)209-4972 AHauck@pheasantsforever.org
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