Iowa Teens Form Nation's First High School Chapter of Pheasants Forever
Chapter led by PF National Youth Leadership Council member Brooks VanderBeek
Source: pheasantsforever.org
Published: Dec. 16, 2009
Students at Iowa's Oskaloosa High School have formed the first-ever high school chapter of Pheasants Forever. The groundbreaking chapter, known as the Oskaloosa Pioneering Ringnecks, will help future land stewards gain valuable conservation experience through planning, fundraising and hands-on wildlife habitat project work.
The chapter is led by Oskaloosa High Schooler Brooks VanderBeek. Brooks' father, Jeff, is the president for the local Mahaska County Chapter of Pheasants Forever, and Brooks has already served as that chapter's youth education chairperson. He also serves on Pheasants Forever's National Youth Leadership Council. He's a member of the student council, participates on the Oskaloosa Scholastic Shooting Team and was the charter member of an organization called the Conservation Teens of Mahaska County. Just a teenager, this conservation veteran was honored earlier this year by the Izaak Walton League as its "Iowa Youth Conservationist of the Year."
Brooks found plenty of fellow students with an affinity for the outdoors, and convinced the school board to support a Pheasants Forever chapter at the high school level. The chapter will operate like any Pheasants Forever chapter, retaining 100 percent decision-making control over its locally-raised funds. Led by faculty advisor Mike Goudy, the Oskaloosa Pioneering Ringnecks look to develop unique fundraising opportunities, while also expanding on the outdoor educational opportunities at the high school.
"We've taken an entirely new approach to conservation with the development of this high school chapter," explained John Linquist, Pheasants Forever Regional Representative, "why wait for conservationists to develop with age when we can build them ourselves? The ideal scenario for this chapter's current students is they have a great experience and go on to become adult Pheasants Forever members and lifelong conservationists. At the same time, we help facilitate new students into the chapter so the cycle repeats itself."
The chapter has already received a donation from the local Mahaska County Chapter of Pheasants Forever to get off the ground, and has also elected Tara Durian as vice president, Nic Dejong as secretary, Jordon Lowry as treasurer, and Brandon Sage as habitat chair. For more information on the chapter, contact faculty advisor Mike Goudy at goudym@oskaloosa.k12.ia.us or John Linquist at jlinquist@pheasantsforever.org.
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