Pheasants Forever Education and Outreach Award
By Charlie Burchfield For the Tri-County Weekend
The North Central Pennsylvania Pheasants Forever Chapter 630 embodies true volunteerism. Over the course of the year, North Central PA volunteers spent 61 calendar days attending, hosting and participating in various outreach events.
This past year, the chapter hosted a “Women On The Wing” weekend along with three youth learn-to-hunt pheasant hunts, that engaged over 130 new hunters. Additionally, the chapter conducted a veteran’s hunt that hosted over 300 participants. This hunt has gained the distinction of being the largest veteran’s pheasant hunt in the nation.
Additionally, the chapter held two hunts for terminally ill youngsters, along with their families, providing them with pheasant hunting, trap/skeet shooting, UTV riding, fishing and horseback riding opportunities.
The group also organized a 5K run/walk and took part in three work days on state game lands.
Chapter members reached out to a number of schools providing “Milkweed in the Classroom” kits and engaged with students on the importance of pollinators.
In the field, the chapter members took part in five youth field day events in four counties featuring field dog handling and discussing upland wildlife habitat conservation.
And of special note, the chapter hosted a special three-day weekend event for two terminally ill youngsters and their families.
Pheasants Forever National Awards
Pheasants Forever volunteer chapters throughout America gathered at the Kansas City Convention Center hosted by the National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic that was held on March 1-2.
As part of the event, Pheasants Forever honored chapters for their mission-driven accomplishments over the past year.
The award categories included habitat work, membership, education and outreach, and conservation advocacy.
Prior to the presentation of the awards it was noted, “These attributes are what propel the organization’s conservation accomplishments from year-to-year.”
The North Central Pennsylvania Pheasants Forever Chapter 630 was honored with the Education and Outreach Award.
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