Pheasants Forever Nebraska

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Announce Promotions to Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist II

Nelson, NE – July 1st, 2019 – Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever announce the promotion of five Farm Bill Wildlife Biologists this month across the state in Nebraska. Heather Francis, Mike Klosterman, Rob Gray, Jake Koenig and Mike Winkler have been promoted to Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist II for their leadership, hard work and dedication to conservation in the state.

Heather Francis started with the organization in January 2013. Based out of Imperial, Francis has a passion for working with private landowners, conducting outreach events to spread the message of habitat and pollinators, and working with area youth programs.

Mike Klosterman began his career with the organization in June 2015. Klosterman covers the Nebraska panhandle working closely to spread the word of monarchs, especially within classroom settings. Klosterman has been instrumental in working with farmers to convert cropland to high quality habitat mixtures to benefit pheasants, quail and other wildlife.

Rob Gray started his career with the organization in August 2015. Previously located in Wahoo, Gray is now located in Tekamah, Nebraska. He works hard to increase quality habitat in the eastern part of the state to boost pheasant and quail populations. He is also very active in seeking out benefits to pollinators and has a passion for environmental conservation.

Jake Koenig joined the organization in May 2016. Originally located in North Platte, Koenig transitioned to Wahoo in 2018. Koenig has diversified his experience to provide opportunities for pheasant and quail within wetland and playa habitat along with traditional CRP fields.

Mike Winkler started in August 2016 and is based out of McCook. Winkler hit the ground running and has made a significant impact for pheasants in the Focus on Pheasant area in southwest Nebraska. He continues to set the bar for high quality land enrollment resulting in public hunting access.

“We are thrilled to offer these promotions across the state. The five individuals stand out with their passion, leadership, and team approach,” says Kelsi Wehrman, Pheasants Forever State Coordinator. “Their promotions are well deserved, and we are excited to see them continue to grow as leaders in conservation.”

Farm Bill Wildlife Biologists work in joint capacity with partners to work one-on-one with landowners in Nebraska to help them enroll in conservation programs through federal, state, and local programs. These positions are part of a successful partnership with Pheasants Forever Inc., the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Natural Resources Conservation Service helping the team impact over 5.5 million acres since inception.

Pheasants Forever, including its quail conservation division, Quail Forever, is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have more than 140,000 members and 740 local chapters across the United States and Canada. Since creation in 1982, Pheasants Forever has spent $867 million on 540,000 habitat projects benefiting 18 million acres nationwide.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education and land management policies and programs.

Pheasants Forever exists to serve you and your community– to create a brighter future for youth, habitat, and public access. With your help and so many others dedicated to our cause, we’ll leave a legacy greater than one of us alone. Are you with us?

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Pheasants Forever is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Your tax-deductible gift will benefit current and future generations.

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