Pheasants Forever is pleased to announce a new habitat expansion in Blue Earth and Brown counties in central Minnesota. The Strom Lake Waterfowl Production Area is located in western Mankato and now provides 139 acres of public access to premier upland and waterfowl habitat.
“We are really excited and proud of the work that went into the Strom Lake project,” said Eran Sandquist, state coordinator for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever in Minnesota. “This property adds an important piece of cover to the southern Minnesota habitat corridor, and will now be open to hunters for generations to come.”
The Lake Strom addition features upland and wetland habitats, and is home to pheasants, waterfowl, and numerous non-game species. Most of the plot has been restored with native grasses and herbaceous plants. The wetlands will be fully restored to create excellent outdoor recreation opportunities with a combination of meadows and wetlands.
“Both Blue Earth and Brown County Pheasants Forever have a long history of working strategically to not only protect important expanses like Strom Lake, but also restore them to their full habitat potential and open them up for public enjoyment,” Sandquist said. “We also thank the Outdoor Heritage Fund and the US Fish and Wildlife Service for helping make this project a reality. The power of partnerships is on full display as we strive to put the pieces of the habitat puzzle back together across the entire range of Minnesota pheasants.”
The property was previously owned by Minnesota residents John and Diana Benson. Avid athletes and conservationists, the Bensons worked with members of the local Pheasants Forever team to facilitate the sale, as well as volunteers from the Blue Earth and Brown County Pheasants Forever chapters.
“Both Pheasants Forever team members and volunteers worked very hard to keep the sale going and make it as easy as possible,” said John Benson. “Diana and I are very pleased to have done our part for public hunting and the environment.”
About pheasants forever
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. This community of more than 400,000 members, supporters, and partners is dedicated to protecting our highlands through habitat improvement, public access, education, and advocacy. A network of 754 local chapters spread across North America determines how 100 percent of its locally raised funds are spent – the only national conservation organization to operate through this grassroots structure. Since its inception in 1982, the organization has dedicated more than $1 billion to 567,500 habitat projects benefiting 22 million acres.