07-21-2007, 04:10 AM
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) teamed up with Pheasants Forever to acquire 167 acres of new habitat and public hunting opportunity in Lac qui Parle County in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Pheasant Stamp.
Pheasants Forever purchased the parcel, about two miles southeast of Madison on 241st Ave., and sold it to the DNR in November of last year. A dedication ceremony will be held at the site at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, in Lac qui Parle County.
"I can't think of a more appropriate way to mark the anniversary of the pheasant habitat stamp," said Brad Olson, DNR acting area wildlife manager. "Permanently protected habitat is critical to maintaining sustainable wildlife populations."
Named the 25th Anniversary Wildlife Management Area (WMA), the tract contains about 100 acres of rolling grassland and a 50-acre partially drained wetland. The majority of the purchase was funded with proceeds from Pheasant Habitat Stamp sales with the Lac qui Parle County Pheasants Forever Chapter. Critical habitat license plate sales made up the balance. It's one of a number of public hunting lands the DNR has acquired recently.
Upland grass will provide critical nesting habitat for pheasants while wetland vegetation will provide winter cover. By restoring the property's wetland, wildlife managers will create a complex of wetland and grassland habitat, which is critical to restoring Minnesota's migratory waterfowl populations. Creating and improving wetland complexes is a key component of the state's long-term duck recovery plan.
"This project recognizes the time, energy and sacrifices of many to ensure that pheasants and other farmland wildlife have a place here in Minnesota," said Dale Breberg, Lac Qui Parle County Pheasants Forever president. "We are proud to be a part of this project as it celebrates 25 years of pheasant hunters making a difference for wildlife."
The $7.50 Pheasant Stamp is required of all Minnesota pheasant hunters age 18 to 64.
Stamp sales generate money for habitat enhancement efforts on both public and private lands in the pheasant range of Minnesota.
Critical habitat license plate purchasers have provided more than $20 million for habitat and nongame wildlife conservation since the plates first became available in 1996. More than 90,000 loon plates and 30,000 deer plates have appeared on vehicles generating more than $3.5 million annually.
In fiscal year 2006, the DNR added more than 4,584 acres to the state's wildlife management area system. Using an additional $14 million bonding appropriation, the DNR will meet its goal of purchasing and developing 12,000 additional acres over the next two fiscal years.
Pheasants Forever purchased the parcel, about two miles southeast of Madison on 241st Ave., and sold it to the DNR in November of last year. A dedication ceremony will be held at the site at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, in Lac qui Parle County.
"I can't think of a more appropriate way to mark the anniversary of the pheasant habitat stamp," said Brad Olson, DNR acting area wildlife manager. "Permanently protected habitat is critical to maintaining sustainable wildlife populations."
Named the 25th Anniversary Wildlife Management Area (WMA), the tract contains about 100 acres of rolling grassland and a 50-acre partially drained wetland. The majority of the purchase was funded with proceeds from Pheasant Habitat Stamp sales with the Lac qui Parle County Pheasants Forever Chapter. Critical habitat license plate sales made up the balance. It's one of a number of public hunting lands the DNR has acquired recently.
Upland grass will provide critical nesting habitat for pheasants while wetland vegetation will provide winter cover. By restoring the property's wetland, wildlife managers will create a complex of wetland and grassland habitat, which is critical to restoring Minnesota's migratory waterfowl populations. Creating and improving wetland complexes is a key component of the state's long-term duck recovery plan.
"This project recognizes the time, energy and sacrifices of many to ensure that pheasants and other farmland wildlife have a place here in Minnesota," said Dale Breberg, Lac Qui Parle County Pheasants Forever president. "We are proud to be a part of this project as it celebrates 25 years of pheasant hunters making a difference for wildlife."
The $7.50 Pheasant Stamp is required of all Minnesota pheasant hunters age 18 to 64.
Stamp sales generate money for habitat enhancement efforts on both public and private lands in the pheasant range of Minnesota.
Critical habitat license plate purchasers have provided more than $20 million for habitat and nongame wildlife conservation since the plates first became available in 1996. More than 90,000 loon plates and 30,000 deer plates have appeared on vehicles generating more than $3.5 million annually.
In fiscal year 2006, the DNR added more than 4,584 acres to the state's wildlife management area system. Using an additional $14 million bonding appropriation, the DNR will meet its goal of purchasing and developing 12,000 additional acres over the next two fiscal years.