Local chapter delivers pollinator habitat outreach program with CCS

In an effort to support outdoor education and diverse wildlife habitat for the future of pollinators and upland gamebirds, the Southwestern Nebraska Chapter of Pheasants Forever has partnered with Imperial FFA Chapter members and 3rd grade Chase County Schools students to deliver the organization’s signature “Pollinator Habitat Outreach Program” at the PF Chapter’s Youth Memorial Park. Pheasants Forever and more than 40 elementary students gathered on May 8 to plant a native prairie while learning about pollinators, plants, and prairie ecosystems.  
The program’s objectives are to increase awareness about declining grassland wildlife populations (including pheasants, quail, and pollinating insects), educate the general public on the importance of pollinator habitat, and establish quality pollinator habitat throughout the country. Local Pheasants Forever chapters and their partners are working with communities to create habitat projects that involve youth, school, and community groups.
“This is another way that Pheasants Forever helps influence the conservation leaders of the future beyond banquets and designated youth events,” stated Heather Francis, Chapter President for the Southwestern Nebraska of Pheasants Forever and volunteer for the joint pollinator project. “This pollinator plot is helping to restore critical habitat for monarch butterflies, honeybees, and grassland songbirds, while serving as an outdoor classroom for future Chase County Schools students, PF Chapter volunteers and guests – a win-win situation for everyone involved.”  Since 2015, seven pollinator events have been completed involving over 400 students in this area.  Local NRCS staff helped with Plant Identification and Pollinator Free Foods stations as well as helping plant seed and plant small plants.
Approximately one-third of all food consumed by humans is delivered by pollinators; including fruits, vegetables, nuts and coffee. Habitat necessary for rapidly declining populations of honey bees and monarch butterflies is also the very same diverse grassland and prairie flower habitat necessary for pheasants, quail, and a host of other wildlife species. Likewise, the insects produced in this habitat are the primary food source for pheasant and quail chicks during their first months of life.
Pheasants Forever’s Pollinator Habitat Outreach Program is made possible by funding support from Corteva, Bayer, Syngenta, USFWS, Cabelas Outdoor Fund, Pollinator Partnership, Monarch Joint Venture, and the organization’s local volunteer chapters.