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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.
2004
ACPF/4-H Tree Planting Project Pictures
(click to enlarge)
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