South Dakota’s Second Century Habitat Fund Receives Big Boost from Pheasants Forever

Sioux Falls, S.D. —-South Dakota’s Second Century Habitat Fund (SCHF) has received a significant donation for its Winter Storm Initiative from Pheasants Forever, who co-sponsored the gala held last month in Sioux Falls. The Winter Storm Initiative campaign was launched by SCHF on January 30th, 2023, with an initial contribution of $100K They also pledged to match up to $100K in private donations, aiming to reach a total of $300K for the initiative.

These funds will be used in partnership with the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks department to implement improvements on approximately 3,500 acres of food plots and plant 16,000 wildlife-friendly shrubs and trees. This specific type of habitat will provide quality food sources for South Dakota’s wildlife throughout the winter and offer much-needed thermal cover for protection during inclement weather. Brian Bashore, the executive director of the Second Century Habitat Fund, emphasized the importance of such habitats for the survival of wildlife in the northern Great Plains. 

During the gala, Marilyn Vetter, president and CEO of Pheasants Forever, expressed optimistic remarks about the future of habitat conservation in South Dakota and the wider pheasant range. Pheasants Forever presented a generous $50K check to the SCHF board of directors during the event, contributing to the Winter Storm Initiative.

“Pheasants Forever is adamant about adding more resources in The Pheasant Capital to ensure diverse habitat and quality wildlife populations exist for the next generation of wingshooters,” said Vetter. “This is just one of many small steps towards that goal, including exciting plans on the horizon for more habitat and access throughout pheasant country.”

Adam Bender, the Chairman of the SCHF Board of Directors, expressed gratitude for Pheasants Forever’s support. He stated that the funds would be used to allocate $300K for winter cover, food plots, and shelterbelts across the state, providing much-needed relief to wildlife during challenging winters like the one experienced in 2022-23.

Presently, the SCHF is just a few thousand dollars away from achieving that target. If you would like to support this initiative and make a significant impact on South Dakota’s wildlife, you can contribute to the Second Century Habitat Fund Winter Initiative. Donations over $50 will receive a Limited-Edition Second Century Habitat Fund hat as a token of appreciation.

About Second Century Habitat Fund, South Dakota

The Second Century Habitat Fund is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation that works to educate landowners on the importance of grassland to improve pheasant habitat in South Dakota. The Fund is governed by a Board of Directors representing landowners, business owners, pheasant preserve operators, and community leaders across South Dakota.