Iowa Pheasants & Sustainable Funding Featured as Pheasant Fest Panel Discussions

Iowa DNR Director Richard Leopold Participating in Both Panels

Pheasants Forever is

Pheasants Forever is "The Habitat Organization."

Des Moines, Iowa - February 17 -

Pheasants Forever announces two panel discussions to take place on Saturday, February 27th during National Pheasant Fest 2010. The first panel discussion, titled "Farmland Conservation and the Future of Iowa Pheasants" will start at 10:30AM. The second panel, titled "Iowa's Water & Land Legacy – Sustainable Funding for Iowa's Natural Resources and its Effect on Water, Soil, Natural Areas and Wildlife," is slated to start at 2PM.

Farmland Conservation and the Future of Iowa Pheasants Topic: In the last three years, Iowa has lost 389,426 acres of CRP. In 2010, 117,209 more acres will expire with another 491,063 acres set to expire between 2011 and 2013. The loss of those acres, coupled with a series of record wet, cold springs and harsh winters have led to tough times for Iowa's wildlife. As a result, Iowa's pheasant harvest hit an all time low in 2008 with only 383,000 roosters bagged. The panel will discuss initiatives for turning both trends around.

Time & Location: 10:30AM in Seminar Room 4 of the lower level of the Iowa Events Center.

Participants: U.S. Congressman Tom Latham (R – Iowa's 4th District), U.S. Congressman Steve King (R – Iowa's 5th District), Farm Service Agency Assistant Deputy Administrator Lynn Tjeerdsma (Washington, D.C.), and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Richard Leopold.

Moderator: Dave Nomsen, Pheasants Forever's Vice President of Government Affairs.

Iowa's Water & Land Legacy – Sustainable Funding for Iowa's Natural Resources and its Effect on Water, Soil, Natural Areas and Wildlife Topic: The Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund would provide a permanent, dedicated and accountable funding mechanism for protection of water quality, conservation of agricultural soils, and improvement of natural areas in Iowa including fish and wildlife habitat. This panel was not assembled to tell people how to vote; rather, it is here to educate Iowans on the issue and allow each citizen to make a well-informed decision. Similar ballot measures have been approved in Arkansas, Missouri, and in Minnesota in 2008.

Time & Location: 2PM in Seminar Room 4 of the lower level of the Iowa Events Center.

Participants: Iowa DNR Director Richard Leopold, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship Bureau Chief Jim Gillespie, Iowa County Conservation Boards representative Dan Cohen, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation President Mark Ackelson, and Iowa State Senator Dick Dearden (D – Iowa's 34th District).

Moderator: Matt O'Connor, Pheasants Forever's Director of Conservation for Iowa.

National Pheasant Fest 2010 Pheasant Fest is the country's largest event for upland hunters, sport dog owners and wildlife habitat conservationists, combining a national outdoor tradeshow, wildlife habitat seminar series, and family event complete with puppies, tractors, shotguns, and art.

  • Adults - $10 Daily
  • Ages 6-16 - $5 Daily
  • Ages 5 and Under – FREE
  • Weekend Special - $30 (Includes annual Pheasants Forever membership & hat, over $80 value)
  • Complete details at www.PheasantFest.org

Bob St.Pierre (651) 334-1473 Bstpierre@pheasantsforever.org

Pheasants Forever is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasants, quail and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness and education. Such efforts benefit landowners and wildlife alike.