PHEASANTS FOREVER.   Term Paper ID:28798 Click to get this paper

Essay Subject: Discusses the wildlife conservation organization dedicated to restoration & maintenance of the habitat of the ring-neck pheasant. Chapter system of organization. Lobbying efforts.... More...

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Paper Abstract: Discusses the wildlife conservation organization dedicated to restoration & maintenance of the habitat of the ring-neck pheasant. Chapter system of organization. Lobbying efforts. Paper Introduction: Pheasants Forever Abstract Pheasants Forever is a wildlife conservation organization dedicated specifically to the restoration and maintenance of the habitat of the ring-neck pheasant. PF uses a county-chapter system supported by a national office that allows it to work at the local level to restore pheasant habitats while lobbying for national legislation in support of wildlife conservation. PF's flagship work to date has been in the restoration of habitats for pheasants and other wildlife and its support of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). PF has restored over 1.5 million acres of land for pheasant habitat and it has successfully lobbied to expand CRP to 45 million acres and to develop a 3-5 year land diversion program. PF's successful program and promotional strategies have resulted i Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. It also allows for access to the chapter leaders' network ofcontacts to the landowning public and natural resources professionals (PF,Internet). In Chariton,Iowa, PF spent $1.55 million for the fiscal year 1998 alone (Lucht, 1999).Projects in Chariton included the planting of about 569, trees and 6, food plots and the purchase of about 4,5 acres of land (Lucht, 1999).Generally, the habitat restoration programs of Pheasant Forever chaptersconsist of five major project types: food plot establishments, nestingcover renovations, winter cover plantings of windbreaks and hedgerows,wetland restorations and land acquisitions (PF, Internet). Theland purchased through the Heritage Fund plays a critical role in the long-term protection of habitat for pheasants, ducks, songbirds, shorebirds andother prairie wildlife (Gander Mountain Press Release, 1999). In Iowa, PF began working with the Iowa Department ofNatural Resources, the Conservation Districts of Iowa, the Iowa Departmentof Agriculture, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and other groupsto provide incentive programs for farmers and landowners to participate inthe United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Conservation ReserveProgram (CRP) (Lucht, 1999). Pheasants can only maintain theirpopulations if they are provided with a suitable habitat (PF, Internet). The organization seeks to protect and enhance pheasant andother wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement,public awareness, education and land management for the benefit oflandowners and wildlife (PF, Internet). CRP is the nation'smost successful conservation program. In particular,critical habitat such as native prairie grasslands and wetlands arepreserved. Furthermore, on a day-to-day basis, PF's online marketplace offersmore than 1 items including hunting clothing, gun accessories, hats,educational materials, gifts and other gear designed specifically forupland bird hunting enthusiasts (PF, Internet). PF's flagship work to date has been in the restoration ofhabitats for pheasants and other wildlife and its support of theConservation Reserve Program (CRP). Consequently, restoring wetlandsis one way to provide habitat for pheasants. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/othrdata/pheasant/pheasant.htm. The USDA's subsequent decision to support congressionalefforts to expand CRP demonstrates PF's power as a lobbyist for strongconservation legislation. Thus, in September 1998, PF requested theUSDA return to 45 million acres in authority for CRP (PF Press Release,1999). Fish &Wildlife Service's North American Wetlands Act grant, and the MinnesotaEnvironmental Trust Fund resulted in a $15 donation to PF's PrairieHeritage Fund for each Raven pup sold (Gander Mountain Press Release,1999). TheUSDA also evaluated a possible new 3-5 year 'conservation reserve program'focused on building soil productivity (PF Press Release, 1999). Introduction Pheasants are a renewable resource that can be harvested in largenumbers while maintaining constant population levels (North Dakota Outdoors(NDO), Internet). Literature CitedPheasants Forever. Wetland Restorations Extensive drainage of wetlands for agriculture and development hasadversely affected pheasants as well as waterfowl (PF, Internet). In particular, such areas protect pheasantsfrom harsh winter weather and predators. Chapter leaders and resource professionals establish habitatrestoration programs customized to the needs of wildlife in their area (PF,Internet). Finally, the organization has developed an innovative youth-education program, Ringnecks, and various other publications and publicawareness programs. Although Congress had originally authorized a 45 million-acre CRP in1985, through 1996 it had only authorized the acquisition of 36.4 millionacres. To date, Pheasants Forever has purchased 41, acres of landas permanent features on the landscape (PF, Internet). Furthermore, PF's nationallobbying power allows it to support and expand conservation legislationthat benefits the ring-neck pheasant in federal and state legislativearenas. Following PF's request, numerous other conservation groups echoed itscall for an expanded CRP. http://www.pheasantsforever.org/indfrm.html. Nomsen alsotestified on a separate 3-5 year Rural Soil and Wildlife EnhancementProgram (RSWEP) and discussed options to improve participation in theongoing CRP buffer initiative (PF Press Release 1999). Thus, they are a good hunting resource. The 1998 holiday campaign raised more than $1 , in donations for the Heritage Fund and by 1999 the Fund had purchased 11parcels of land for a total of 1.283 acres, all of which are made availableto the public for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation purposes. Such "farm-friendly practices" would allow farmers to square upfields and provide additional soil, water and wildlife conservationbenefits in regions of the country that did not participate in the generalCRP sign-up program (PF Press Release, 1999). It also supports theEnvironmental Quality Incentives Programs (EQIP) (PF Press Release, 1999).Local PF chapters are also making greater use of the new Wildlife HabitatIncentives Program (WHIP), for which PF is now fighting to increase fundingby $1 million dollars. It also provides conservationbenefits for all taxpayers (PF Press Release, 1999). Pheasantsrequire wetlands for roosting, escape and loafing cover from late fallthrough spring (PF, Internet). Nomsen also discussed options to improve participation in the ongoingCRP buffer initiative and suggested wildlife friendly practices, such ascenter-pivot corners and field borders, as acceptable CRP practices as wellas the development of a new small-block habitat practice (PF Press Release,1999). The combined contributions of Gander Mountain, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service programs, including Partners in Wildlife,and expanding PF chapter funding opportunities through the North AmericanWetlands Conservation Act (PF Press Release, 1999). PF buys land, pays for incentivesfor farmers to build filter strips and wildlife food plots, plants trees,educates farmers about existing government programs and lobbies forbeneficial legislation (Lucht, 1999). In 1998, USDA reports analyzed the positive effects of an increasedCRP and documented CRP's favorable economic impacts on agriculture. Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Home Page. PF has restored over 1.5 million acresof land for pheasant habitat and it has successfully lobbied to expand CRPto 45 million acres and to develop a 3-5 year land diversion program. Conclusion The only method guaranteed to increase and maintain pheasantpopulations is the improvement of their living conditions. Finally, PF supportsefforts to fund state non-game programs for wildlife habitat andconservation education. Inaddition to its support of CRP, PF has also promoted efforts to expand theWetlands Reserve Program by two million acres, which would allow annualenrollment of 25 , WRP acres per year. The bill received strong bipartisan support from morethan 5 co-sponsors (PF Press Release, 1999). However, PF only supported aprogram for short duration land diversion if it did not affect theenvironmental integrity of the CRP (PF Press Release, 1999). PF uses a county-chapter system supported by a nationaloffice that allows it to work at the local level to restore pheasanthabitats while lobbying for national legislation in support of wildlifeconservation. USDA officials andrepresentatives of the National Association of Conservation Districts andthe International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies also testified(PF Press Release, 1999). The invitation was a significant moment in PF history. Results and Discussion PF's program and promotional strategies have resulted in nationalattention to and support for the conservation of pheasant habitatthroughout the United States. A well-designed shelterbelt provides loafing, feeding,roosting and escape cover for ring-necked pheasants (PF, Internet). Land Acquisitions Pheasants Forever purchases land that it sets aside for pheasantpopulations. Size and location of the food plot are the two most criticalfactors to consider once a food plot variety is selected. All press releases are located at http://www.pheasantsforever.org/speical.html.The ring-necked pheasant in North Dakota. Nationally, PF continues to build on its reputation as a nationalconservation policy leader that promotes sound federal and stateconservation programs for the benefit of pheasants and other wildlife. 1992. CRP was implemented in 1985 and it paysfarmers and landowners to retire environmentally sensitive croplands tobenefit wildlife and the environment. PF has experienced significant success inmaintaining pheasant populations through its habitat restoration programand its public education efforts. Pheasants Forever (PF) is a nonprofit conservation organizationfounded in 1982 in response to the decline of the ring-necked pheasantpopulation. Pheasants Forever Home Page. PF also seeks to improve technical assistancefunding for its Natural Resources Conservation Service partners (PF PressRelease, 1999). Generally, large(3-1 acre) food plots are most desirable for countering winter blizzardsbecause blizzards can fill the outer 25-5 rows of standing corn or sorghumin a single storm (PF, Internet). Local Methods PF utilizes a county-chapter system that provides incentives forsportsmen and women to raise money. Moreover, studies and experience have demonstrated that habitatrestoration as performed by PF is the only successful long-term means ofmaintaining pheasant populations. North Dakota Outdoors 54(7):5-2 . Nesting Cover Plantings Nesting cover planting is crucial for pheasant reproductive success.Of the several keys to solid pheasant populations, including secure nestingcover, adequate brood stock and favorable weather, nesting cover is thesingle most important habitat-limiting factor for pheasant populations (PF,Internet). PF has strongly supported it sinceits inception because it has been credited with doubling and triplingpheasant populations over much of their range (PF Press Release, 1999). PF had long advocated the benefits of "multi-year set-aside" withproper cover requirements and it urged the USDA to join it by endorsing itsefforts to expand CRP to 45 million acres and to develop a 3-5 year landdiversion program with input from wildlife interests (PF Press Release,1999). (Version 16Jul97). Gander Mountain, which has 31 storesin Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio and is headquartered inMinneapolis, Minnesota, specializes in hunting, fishing and family campaigngear (Gander Mountain Press Release, 1999). From mid-November throughDecember, Gander Mountain sold limited edition Gander Gang® "Raven" plushpups modeled after ESPN outdoor television personality Ron Schara's huntingdog. National Methods Legislative Lobbying A statewide program in Iowa also demonstrates PF's strong nationallobbying position. PFchapters and field staff continue to offer incentive programs to assistwith CRP implementation and Iowa chapters led the nation in implementingthe innovative CRP buffer initiative (PF Press Release, 1999). PF believed that an expanded CRP should be part of any comprehensivesupport package for landowners. PFsupported a strong, conservation-driven program that offered additionaleconomic benefits to farmers and ranchers. PF uses the Heritage Fund to purchase prairie lands throughout theupper Midwest for designation as Wildlife Management Areas (Gander MountainPress Release, 1999). PF's habitat-improvement program has made significant inroads toward providing suchhabitat for the national pheasant populations. PF, however,was interested in the potential of a 3-5 year diversion program to addresswildlife production in areas not yet served by CRP, specifically higher-value lands in intensively farmed areas (PF Press Release, 1999). For example, by mid-1999 PF had spent $274, 56 on 646 wildlifeprojects on 4,289 acres in Story County, Iowa alone in less than 1 years.Projects included creating food plots, planting native grasses, acquiring74 acres and tree plantings, building nesting cover for birds, restoringtwo wetlands and numerous educational projects (Lucht, 1999). Merchandising In November 1999, Pheasants Forever teamed up for the second year withoutdoor retailer Gander Mountain to launch a holiday promotion in supportof the preservation of the nation's disappearing prairie lands and wetlands(Gander Mountain Press Release, 1999). PF'ssuccessful program and promotional strategies have resulted in nationalattention to and support for the conservation of pheasant habitatthroughout the United States. Nesting requires a secure, undisturbed habitat where grass andherbaceous plants dominate. Consequently, thepheasant population of the United States has declined dramatically.Pheasants Forever seeks to reverse that decline. Food Plots Food and cover plots establish safe foraging patterns for pheasants byrestricting unnecessary movements and providing a dependable source of foodto carry female birds through the winter in good condition (PF, Internet).The food plots are placed closely adjacent to existing winter cover toprovide the best cover in addition to being a source for food (PF,Internet). Finally, Representative Collin Peterson (D-MN)introduced House Resolution (HR) 4 8, which would expand CRP authority to45 million acres. Local control ofthe monies raised allows for a county-by-county prioritization of habitatneeds. Pheasants Forever Abstract Pheasants Forever is a wildlife conservation organization dedicatedspecifically to the restoration and maintenance of the habitat of the ring-neck pheasant. Winter Cover Plantings Pheasants also require sufficient woody cover for winter survival.Farmstead shelterbelts shelter wildlife, livestock and farmsteads fromwinter weather. The major factoraffecting such conditions is the lack of quality undisturbed nestinghabitat, followed up by weather conditions and predation. Since 1982, it has grown to 85, members in 55 chapters and has raised and spent more than $33 million onhabitat projects on more than 1.5 million acres in North America (PF,Internet). PF is also committed to informingmembers and non-members on the needs of the pheasant population, withspecial emphasis on the conservation education of children (PF, Internet). Not only did itprovide an opportunity for PF to push its comprehensive farm conservationpackage, it also served as recognition of PF's growing leadership role inWashington, D.C. In July 1999, Chairman BillBarrett (R-NE) of the House Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities,Resource Conservation, and Credit requested PF Vice-President Dave Nomsento appear before the Subcommittee to testify about HR 4 8. Pheasants Forever also is actively engaged in supporting importantU.S. However, due todramatic land-use changes, the fencerows, grasslands and wetlands that haveformed pheasant habit has been converted to tilled soil. One hundred percent of net funds raisedby chapters remain at the chapter level for local habitat projects, witheach chapter retaining local control of its habitat funds. If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.