Ashland Native Named Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologist for Northwest Wisconsin
Pheasants Forever 06.04.14
Pheasants Forever has named Scott Stipetich as the organization’s Farm Bill Biologist for northwest Wisconsin. Based out of the USDA Service Center in Altoona, Stipetich will cover 22 region counties, working with farmers and landowners in promoting the wildlife habitat and financial benefits of conservation programs, as well as assisting landowners after programs have been implemented.
Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologists work to accelerate enrollment in the suite of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Bill conservation programs, adding wildlife technical assistance in USDA offices to assist the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA) and other conservation partners with delivering conservation programs to landowners. Not only are biologists knowledgeable about federal, state and local conservation programs, but they promote programs on a personal basis, helping landowners find the right programs to meet their land-use goals.
Stipetich covers Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Iron, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Price, Rusk, Saint Croix, Sawyer, Taylor, Trempealeau, and Washburn counties. The position is made possible through a partnership consisting of Pheasants Forever chapters, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and USDA Farm Service Agency.
“We are delighted to have Scott join the northwest area conservation team,” said Judy Derricks, NRCS Assistant State Conservationist, “He brings an enthusiasm for promoting wildlife habitat and has already demonstrated his skill in using programs to enhance conservation efforts. Scott will provide our staff additional support to reach our many clients who need expertise in developing wildlife related conservation on their land.”
“We’re very excited to have Scott on our team,” said Gary Haughn, NRCS District Conservationist. “Wildlife and habitat have tremendous recreational and economic value in our area. Having Scott in the area to help landowners with their wildlife and habitat goals will really complete the full-service conservation assistance landowners expect from our offices.”
A native of Ashland, Wis., Stipetich holds a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. Prior to joining Pheasants Forever, Stipetich worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He can be reached by phone at (715) 701-2594 or by email.
Pheasants Forever’s four Farm Bill Biologists in Wisconsin are a collaborative partnership among Pheasants Forever chapters, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, NRCS, FSA and other partners. The biologists provide Farm Bill program advice for eligibility, application deadlines and other important details for landowners interested in improving wildlife habitat on their property. Find a Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologist.
Pheasants Forever launched Quail Forever in August of 2005 to address the continuing loss of habitat suitable for quail and the subsequent quail population decline. Bobwhite population losses over the last 25 years range from 60 to 90 percent across the country. The reason for the quail population plunge is simple - massive losses of habitat suitable for quail. There are five major factors leading to the losses of quail habitat; intensified farming and forestry practices, succession of grassland ecosystems to forests, overwhelming presence of exotic grasses like fescue that choke out wildlife, and urban sprawl.
