Pheasants Forever, DNR to Honor Conservation Legend Mel Roerhl with WMA Dedication

Pheasants Forever (PF) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will dedicate a 303-acre parcel of land in Stearns County on Saturday, May 3rd in honor of Pheasants Forever volunteer legend Mel Roerhl.

A founding member of the Stearns County Pheasants Forever chapter, Roerhl, at 87 years old, still serves the chapter as a committee member, working to protect and enhance Stearns County’s upland habitat. Founded in 1982, the Stearns County Pheasants Forever chapter was the ninth Pheasants Forever chapter formed in the country.

“When it comes to conservation in Central Minnesota, Mel is a household name,” said Eran Sandquist, Pheasants Forever’s Northern Minnesota regional representative. “The chapter he founded is recognized as one of the most productive in the nation and is one of only two chapters in the nation to have spent over $4 million on the organization’s habitat mission.”

The property consists of two parcels (Bruce Thompson Tract-105.95 acres and John Buckentine Tract-197.26 acres) which will be combined to make a singular Wildlife Management Area. The WMA will be managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and open to the public for outdoor recreation opportunities.

When: Saturday, May 3rd at 10AM

Where: From Sauk Centre MN, take Hwy 71 south for 7 miles. Turn right (west) on Co. Rd. 22 for 5 miles. Turn left (south) on Co. Rd. 18 for 2-1/2 miles, then turn left (south) on 470th Ave. for ¾ miles.

Who: Members of the media are encouraged to attend. The event is open to the public. Representatives from Pheasants Forever, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and several partners will be in attendance.

Project Partners & Donors: Pheasants Forever – Build a Wildlife Area Fund, North American Wetland Conservation Act, Minnesota’s Outdoor Heritage Fund, Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match, Buckentine Family, Tri-County Pheasants Forever, Jackson County Pheasants Forever, Lyon County Pheasants Forever, Mower County Pheasants Forever, South Central Minnesota Pheasants Forever, Todd County Pheasants Forever, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association – Central Minnesota Chapter, Padua Conservation Club, Green Grove Rod and Gun Club, Steve Thompson Memorial, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association – Hides for Habitat Fund, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association – Habitat Committee, and the Stearns County Pheasants Forever chapter

Pheasants Forever

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.