Conservation groups transcend 'forever'

When the Pheasants Forever people talk about their favorite cause, there is a passion and a commitment that rivals that of a tent revival preacher -- and both of them keep talking about that "forever" part.

"We want this effort to be continued and carried on down the road, generation after generation," said Wynn Brinker from the Wood- Lucas chapter of the organization. "Enough people feel very strongly about it, so they put their time, their effort, and their dollars into supporting the work."

Pheasants Forever, with more than 600 chapters in the United States and Canada, and more than 110,000 members, has a prominent advocacy voice in federal and state conservation matters, but its real work is as grass roots as it can be.

The local chapters raise funds for habitat projects and for conservation education, then determine when and where that money will be spent. Their major annual fund-raisers are their spring banquets/auctions.

"Down on the chapter level, you find the people that make it all work," said Val Gillig, who has been active in the Seneca County chapter of Pheasants Forever for more than two decades.

"It's people that get a real sense of satisfaction out of putting in a windbreak or building a habitat area, and then driving by there later and seeing wildlife putting that habitat to use. It's hard work, but the rewards make it all worthwhile."

Pheasants Forever volunteers completed more than 20,000 habitat projects in the U.S. and Canada in 2011. The Wood-Lucas chapter concentrated its efforts on utilizing the Leopold Project, an environmental education program based on the writings of the highly respected conservationist Aldo Leopold.

"We're really pushing education," Brinker said. "We have to start with the youth. It's so critical for our young people to understand the importance of habitat, and why a balance in nature is essential."

The Seneca County group has continued its long-established tradition of investing dollars and sweat equity into habitat projects.

"Today, everyone is busy, but we have to find the time for things that are as important as making sure our wildlife has a place to live," Gillig said. "I love everything about our conservation work. When I go for a drive in the country, I want to see wildlife, and I want my grandchildren to see wildlife, and their grandchildren to have an opportunity to see it too."

Last year, the Ohio chapters of Pheasants Forever created more than 20,000 acres of new wildlife habitat.

"The message of conservation is growing at the grass roots level," said Charlie Payne, a regional wildlife biologist for Pheasants Forever. "And it is in direct correlation with the efforts of our Pheasants Forever chapters and members."

This is not a hunting group or a pheasant-stocking operation. Pheasants Forever is a broad coalition of landowners, conservation enthusiasts, wildlife officials, hunters, nonhunters, farmers, and ranchers, engaged in a focused effort to give all wildlife a home by creating and restoring habitat, restoring wetlands, and protecting prairies.

The Wood-Lucas chapter holds its banquet and auction Saturday at the Glass City Boardwalk, 27820 E. Broadway, Walbridge. Doors open and a cash bar is available at 5 p.m. with dinner at 7. A wide range of auctions and raffles follow dinner. Tickets and information: Lou Best at 419-304-1368.

The Seneca County Pheasants Forever banquet will be at the Meadowbrook Ballroom, 5430 W. Tiffin St., Bascom, Ohio, on March 31. Doors open at 5 p.m. and dinner is served until 7 p.m. This is the 23rd annual fund-raiser for the chapter, which will continue its tradition of having a "Made in America" theme for its raffles and auctions. Information: 419-937-0722 or 419-937-2264.

Contact Blade outdoors editor Matt Markey at: mmarkey@theblade.com or 419-724-6068