4H Treeplanting Project
A Shovelful of Hope for Pheasant Habitat
By Sheryl Gallup - Anoka County Pheasants Forever Chapter
The excitement was overwhelming among the group of 50 kids, parents and other volunteers who put their energy into every shovelful of dirt they turned. For in that soil was the hope that pheasant habitat would continue to flourish at the Crooked Road State Wildlife Management Area in Isanti County. The Anoka County Chapter of Pheasants Forever (ACPF), in partnership with the 4-H Shooting Sports and Wildlife team, demonstrated their concern for Minnesota's dwindling pheasant habitat by planting over 400 Wild Plum trees April 24 at the Crooked Road WMA.
Originally, this project took root in 2003 when the same group got together to plant 500 Wild Plum trees at the same WMA. In a commitment to further enhance the existing habitat of this WMA, the group joined forces again to plant an additional 400 Wild Plum Trees on an adjoining plot to last year's plantings. The trees from last year have adapted well to their new environment and have grown approximately 3 inches.For years, ACPF has demonstrated their strong support of habitat by sponsoring the Minnesota Habitat Fund and the Wildlife Habitat Team. In their 2004 initiative to increase their support of both youth and habitat programs, the ACPF knew that working with the 4-H was a good opportunity for both groups.
Crooked Road is a 393-acre WMA that was a perfect habitat restoration project with its already existing wetland, prairie and woodland areas which is home to waterfowl, birds, and mammals both large and small From a project that was planted from a seed of thought, it grew into one that required support and commitment from many groups. ACPF and 4-H was the implement used to sow the seed, but without the support of the DNR and the Isanti County Chapter of PF, this project would have been almost impossible to take root. The heartfelt crew planted 4 rows of trees over a 1/2-acre parcel. The kids worked so quickly that all 400 holes were dug; trees were planted and watered in less than 2 hours. A strong initiative of ACPF has always been to develop suitable habitat to increase pheasant populations in Minnesota, said Steve Sjodin, ACPF Habitat Coordinator. We also recognize the need to support youth groups who have demonstrated motivation and interest in wildlife management. The 4-H kids were a perfect choice to help us achieve this.
Crooked Road WMA is just one of a number of projects that ACPF will be working on in 2004. Recently, they also donated $10,000 to the Minnesota Habitat Fund giving them a grand total of $80,000 in donations since 1998. ACPF also assists with habitat projects in other areas of the state as well including the Build a Wildlife Area Project that was kicked off at the 2003 Game Fair. It is expected that Anoka County Pheasants Forever will be donating more than $40,000 in habitat initiatives this year alone. The message from the tree planting group is simple. It just takes a little effort to leave a positive footprint in nature one shovelful of hope at a time.
Past Tree Planting Photo Galleries
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