Michigan Pheasants Forever State Council 7012

Michigan Pheasants Forever State Council 7012 operates the only national conservation model where local chapters keep and control 100% of the funds they raise. No corporate overhead eating into donations—money raised in your area funds projects you choose.

Michigan chapters work on habitat restoration and wildlife conservation specifically focused on pheasants, quail, and other upland game birds. Since 2017, the Michigan Adopt-A-Game Area Program alone has raised over $1.2 million for grassland habitat improvements on 20 state wildlife areas in southern Michigan. Those funds have enhanced or restored more than 2,000 acres of public hunting land.

"The MI Adopt-A-Game Area Program has raised over $1.2 million for grassland habitat projects on MI public lands since 2017."

Pheasants Forever operates 600+ chapters across the U.S. and Canada with over 120,000 members. Nationally, they've:

• •Completed an average of 20,000+ habitat projects annually
• •Benefited over 5.3 million acres since 1982
• •Participated in 1,000+ land acquisitions totaling 135,000+ acres (all open to public hunting)
• •Protected nearly 50 million acres through federal farm conservation programs

Michigan launched a parallel organization called Quail Forever in 2005 to address bobwhite population losses of 60-90% over 25 years. Factors driving habitat loss include intensified farming practices, grassland succession to forests, invasive species like fescue, and urban sprawl.

Membership & Donation Options:

• •Life Member: $1,000
• •Dual Life Member (PF + Quail Forever): $1,000 each
• •Patron Member: $10,000
• •Gold Patron Member: $25,000
• •Adopt-A-Game Area donations: $500+ (engraved metal plate on property kiosk)
• •Legislative Action Fund: Any amount
• •No Child Left Indoors initiative: Youth nature education program
• •Build A Wildlife Area Program: Permanent habitat acquisition
• •Memorial gifts: Honor family members or friends

• •Wildlife Habitat Projects — Chapters identify and complete projects in their local areas. The grassroots model means volunteers see direct results from their fundraising efforts.

• •Legislative & Policy Advocacy — PF works with Congress on the Federal Farm Bill's Conservation Title, critical programs like the Conservation Reserve Program and Wetlands Reserve Program.

• •Education Programs — Includes the Ringnecks and Whistlers youth programs and the Leopold Education Project for public awareness.

• •Professional Services via Habitat Forever — A wholly-owned PF subsidiary offering specialized habitat work for hire, equipped with tractors, trailers, seed drills, tree planters, and fire management equipment.

• •Forever Land Trust — Accepts and permanently protects property donations and conservation easements.

Each active Michigan chapter can send two elected representatives to State Council. Active chapters include representation from Jackson/Calhoun, Monroe County, St. Clair County, Lenawee County, and Saginaw.

PF's major national initiative targets: - Improving 9 million acres of habitat - Engaging 1.5 million people in educational events - Advocating for supportive laws, policies, and budgets - $500 million commitment

Michigan has multiple active Pheasants Forever chapters organizing local banquets, raffles, and youth programs. Chapter events are posted on the national events platform at https://events.pheasantsforever.org/events. Contact individual chapters via Facebook or the national "Find a Chapter" feature for specific local opportunities.

Members include hunters, non-hunters, farmers, ranchers, landowners, conservation enthusiasts, and wildlife officials. Membership spans different demographics united by habitat conservation goals.

Contact: - Phone: 616-635-1834 - Email: [email protected] - Location: Grand Rapids, MI 49548 - National Site: pheasantsforever.org