Build a Wildlife Area Program

The Build a Wildlife Area® program is the organization's signature strategy to acquire and restore critical wildlife habitat for public recreation. To date, we’ve opened more than 247,000 acres of permanently protected and publicly accessible upland wildlife habitat.

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Help us acquire critical wildlife habitat and open it to public recreation

With the support of people like you, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have created more than 247,000 acres of permanently protected and publicly accessible upland wildlife habitat.

Habitat protection, enhancement and public access is at the core of our organization’s mission, and these key activities are at the heart of Build a Wildlife Area® - raising funds to acquire and restore critical wildlife habitat and open it to public recreation. None of this would be possible without the generous support of public land creators like you.

What is the Build a Wildlife Area Program?

Build a Wildlife Area is Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever's permanent habitat protection program delivering strategic, fee-title acquisitions to conserve habitat and increase public hunting access. The program strives to create functional landscapes that support wild, sustainable populations of upland birds and other wildlife, while providing natural resources and community benefits.

The organization's acquisition strategy provides solutions for the nation's most complex sustainability issues including improved biodiversity, soil health, water stewardship, and rural economic development - while simultaneously prioritizing maximum impact for pheasants, quail and associated wildlife.

We do this by prioritizing projects that:

Build on past investments in permanent land protection and private land conservation to connect habitat and create a landscape of quality upland habitat supporting wild, sustainable, and thriving populations of upland birds and other wildlife.
Increase and/or enhance public access for hunting, fishing and other outdoor pursuits.
Are strategically located within landscapes of significant importance to wild populations of upland birds.
Permanently protect unique, natural ecosystems or landscape features or lands that have significant restoration potential for upland, riparian and wetland habitats.

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Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail, and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public access, education, and conservation advocacy. Your support will directly impact this critical mission.

Purchasing Property is just the beginning

By donating to our Build a Wildlife Area® program, you will ensure our organization is able to secure new properties, opening them to public access and allowing us to work with partners to restore and enhance habitat for upland birds!

While Pheasants Forever does hold title long term to properties under a few specific circumstances, most of our projects are ultimately conveyed to trusted partners at federal, state, and local wildlife agencies for perpetual stewardship.

We work diligently with our conservation partners to ensure that every project is strongly supported, and a long-term management plan is in place.

Investing alongside us in on-the-ground conservation to protect habitat and create public access

Program Success

For the benefit of pheasants, quail, and other wildlife

Thanks to the support of our chapter, members, donors and partners, we have created remarkable wildlife areas and public access opportunities across the United States.

Your support of Build a Wildlife Area: :

Creates Public Access: Permanently protecting over 247,000 acres since 1982.
Conserves Critical Habitat for Wildlife: Strategic land preservation for the benefit of upland wildlife.
Preserves Outdoor Heritage Traditions: over 29,000 hunter days were provided during the last hunting season along with other outdoor recreation consistent with wildlife production.
Leverages Funds: Your contribution brings a 10:1 return on investment by leveraging grants and awards.

Leadership Level Support

If you would like to discuss ways to support the Build a Wildlife Area program at a leadership level of $1,000 or more, please contact Eric Sytsma:

(515) 423-4747
esytsma@pheasantsforever.org

Completed Projects

Creating permanently protected habitat

Arizona

Year	Acres	Project	County
2020	n/a	Horseshoe Easement	Chocise

California

Year	Acres	Project	County
2024-2025	10	Shasta Co BLM Addition Tract 2	Shasta
2007	10	Shasta Co 1	Shasta

Idaho

Year	Acres	Project	County
2012	2615	Mud Lake WMA Addition	Jefferson

Illinois

Year	Acres	Project	County
2014	121	Willow Creek State Habitat Area	Edgar
2010	1,000	Forever Fields Upland Management Area	Knox
2010	108	Busby-Meyer Wildlife Area	Vermillion