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Kansas Native Named To Pheasants Forever’s National Board Of Directors
Ed Holland introduced to upland bird hunting at Kansas State University.

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

KANSAS CITY, Mo. --(Ammoland.com)- Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QU) have announced that Ed Holland of Bucyrus, Kan., has been appointed as the newest member of the organization’s national board of directors.

The 17-member board meets three times a year and oversees the operations of PF and QU, the nation’s largest upland conservation organization. Born and raised in Kansas City, Holland has spent 30 years as a restaurateur, overseeing daily operations of Myron Green American dining restaurant. He is one of the Kansas City area’s leading proponents of upland conservation, support that’s led to his appointment.

“It’s an honor to be named to serve on the national board of directors for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever,” Holland said.

“I have been lucky enough to see great upland hunting in Kansas and would like to help make a difference in improving habitat for future hunters nationwide.” Naturally, Holland is excited that his hometown will be hosting Pheasants Forever’s National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic 2012, the organization’s largest event, on Feb. 17-19, 2012.

A passionate outdoorsman, Holland learned to appreciate upland hunting and the outdoors from his fellow rugby teammates at Kansas State University. During his senior year, he received his first shotgun and has been an avid hunter since. No matter how busy his schedule, Holland always finds time to spend with his family, teaching them the value of the outdoors.

“Hunting is really the one sport we have always done as a family,” he said. “When my son was growing up, hunting was a big motivator for me because it was an opportunity to spend time with him.”

PF and its quail conservation division, QU, is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. The organization has more than 130,000 members and 700 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Chapters are empowered to determine how 100 percent of their locally-raised conservation funds are spent.

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Pheasants Forever Adds Two Farm Bill Wildlife Biologists For Kansas
Biologists will help improve pheasant, quail, and lesser prairie chicken habitat.

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

ST. PAUL, Minn. --(Ammoland.com)- Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) have announced the addition of two new Farm Bill wildlife biologist positions in Kansas. Kirby Calhoun will cover Dickinson, Clay, Ottawa, and nearby counties, while Mark Witecha will cover Ness, Lane, Hodgeman, and nearby counties.

The positions were created in partnership with the Kansas division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

PF’s Farm Bill biologists provide-on-the ground technical assistance to farmers who implement federal Farm Bill conservation programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Reserve Program. They also assist farmers with various programs and practices recommended by PF and partner organizations.

“I am really excited about the additions to the growing Kansas Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever team,” said Steve Riley, PF and QU Farm Bill wildlife biologist manager. “They come with some great experience, and both are just finishing up their master’s degrees. They will definitely help us achieve our habitat goals.”

Calhoun will complete his master’s degree in wildlife management from Texas A&M University this year. Previous to this, Calhoun spent 2010 working for the U.S. Forest Service as a wildlife biologist. He has four years of military experience and is a decorated Army veteran. Calhoun will work out of the NRCS Center in Abilene and can be reached at 785-263-1351.

Witecha previously interned at the Aldo Leopold Foundation near his home in southcentral Wisconsin. He will join Pheasants Forever in early June after finishing his master’s of science degree at Texas A&M, Kingsville, where he has been studying the effects of wildfire and drought on the abundance, movement, and species richness of small mammals. Witecha will be based out of the Ness City Service Center and can be reached at 785-263-1351.

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