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Alex Gerhardson of the Isanti County chapter is presented with the Volunteer of the Year award by Western Minnesota Senior Regional Representative Will Clayton, right, during the Pheasants Forever state convention Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Pheasants Forever volunteers, supporters honored during national event in Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minn., Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 — Volunteers and supporters celebrated another year of success in Minnesota during the national Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic event at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Pheasants Forever Vice President of Chapters and Volunteer Services Tom Fuller and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers CEO Ryan Callaghan spoke to about 225 volunteers during the morning event.
Nobles County volunteers received the national Access Award, presented during a chapter luncheon Friday. The chapter has created more than 3,300 acres of permanently protected upland habitat in Nobles County since 1986. Carver County volunteers were also honored Friday with the Membership Award for leveraging the organization’s technology to streamline event planning and reach more of their community through a variety of annual events. Pheasants Forever currently has more than 750 chapters nationwide.
The support shown by chapter volunteers in Minnesota is unrivaled and inspires all of us to give maximum effort to our mission throughout the year, Minnesota Coordinator Sabin Adams said. The fact that these volunteers can consistently create such a lasting impact on the landscape in this state drives all of us.
Chicago County Pheasants Forever chapter volunteers are pictured after receiving the Chapter of the Year award during the Pheasants Forever Minnesota Convention Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in Minneapolis.
Presenters cited steady, consistent achievement at a high level when presenting Chisago County volunteers with the Minnesota Chapter of the Year award. “When I’m asked what a great chapter looks like, I picture our 2025 Chapter of the Year. The very best chapters invest selflessly in the mission and have fun doing it. And nobody does that better than Chisago County Pheasants Forever,” Senior Regional Representative Will Clayton said.
Alex Gerhardson of the Isanti County chapter received the Volunteer of the Year award. The award recognizes the individual that has made the biggest impact for habitat through their volunteer efforts as a PF member and exhibits strong commitment to the Pheasants Forever habitat mission. A chapter leader since 2022, Gerhardson was credited for leading the chapter by creating steady growth in programming and fundraising.
Chapters throughout Minnesota were recognized for their total cumulative contributions with the Conservation Excellence award. The awards were as follows: Chisago and Todd counties for $1 million. Freeborn County for $3 million. Martin and Sibley counties for $6 million. Otter Tail and Douglas counties for $7 million. Big Stone County for $8 million. Meeker County for $9 million. Wright County for $11 million. Kandiyohi County for $12 million. Clay County for $13 million. Nobles County for $18 million.
Longtime Stearns County volunteer Joe Opitz is presented with the Mark Smith Making a Difference award by Western Minnesota Senior Regional Representative Chance Steward during the Pheasants Forever Minnesota Convention Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026.
Joe Opitz received the Mark Smith Making a Difference Award, given to those that go above and beyond the call of duty to further the Pheasants Forever mission. Opitz has served on the Stearns County chapter volunteer committee for 43 years. He is credited with leading the chapter, the ninth chartered in the organization’s history, through decades of successful fundraising and programming and for guiding the next generation of leadership. Chapter peers who nominated Opitz mentioned his steadiness, leadership, mentorship and unwavering commitment.
The Glacial Ridge chapter was honored with the Mission Maker award, presented to the chapter that tries new things and doesn’t let boundaries get in the way of delivering mission. “This chapter may be one of the least celebrated on the western side of the state. Not because they haven’t earned it, but because their growth didn’t come from one big flashy “ah-ha” moment. It came from steady pressure. Year after year after year. No fireworks. Just work. They don’t just support the mission. They push it forward,” Senior Regional Representative Chance Steward said.
The Next Generation of Forever award was given to the Buffalo Ridge chapter. The award recognizes the trailblazers shaping what comes next. It honors the chapter that inspires progress, empowers changemakers and ensures that the organizations mission continues forever.
The Tri-County Chapter received the Focus on Forever Award. The chapter was lauded for their commitment to tomorrow’s hunters and conservationists through working above and beyond to involve the next generation outdoors, holding nine events annually in the Rochester area. “Each year, Tri‑County Pheasants Forever puts on a masterclass in relevancy. And because their community can clearly see the benefit the chapter provides, the community supports them more and more as the years go by,” Clayton said while presenting the award.
Western Minnesota Regional Representative Chance Steward presents Pelican River chapter volunteer Sheri Meester with a Long Spur Award.
Volunteers nominated by their local chapters were presented with Dedication Awards. The awards were given to:
Rachel Cunningham – Brown County
Jake Juve – Chisago County
Ed Michels – Dakota Ringnecks
Jesse Holm – Douglas County
Kevin and Carrie Hofstad – East Central Spurs
Tom Schmidt – East Medicine
Karen Bartels – Glacial Ridge
Andrea Lindell – Isanti County
Aaron Wilson – Kandiyohi County
Arlyn DeBruyckere – Lyon County
Doug Breitkreitz – McLeod County
Paul Niebur – Mississippi Longtails
Tim Jones – Morrison County
Kevin Rolf – Metro Area
Brian Mayo - Nicollet County
Tyler Scott – Pelican River
Dan Jambor – Ramsey County
Juli Kjorness – Renville County
Rick Peterson – Rock County
Jeff Pulls – Scott County
Ron Wiehoff – Stearns County
Aaron Eldred – Waseca County
Barry Rhineberger – Wright County
Bill Anseeuw- Yellow Medicine
The Long Spur Society is made up of individuals who have demonstrated a continued commitment to Pheasants Forever. They are past Dedication Award recipients and have played an integral role in their chapter for many years. The Long Spur Society recipients this year were:
Jerod Ochsendorf – Kandiyohi County
Leo Chmil – Isanti County
Kristi Backer Palmer – Metro Area
Kayla Blocker – McLeod county
Brayden Anderson – East Medicine
Jake Tralle – Chisago County
Jason Seelen – Morrison County
Ben Cunningham – Brown County
Russell Olson – Swift County
Matt Aker – Douglas County
Barry Bartels – Glacial Ridge
Bill Anseeuw- Yellow Medicine
Matt Sorenson – Rock County
Andrea Neville – Scott County
Dan Jambor – Ramsey County
Mike Theisen – Stearns County
Sheri Meester – Pelican River
Saturday’s Minnesota convention was held in conjunction with the annual Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic event in Minneapolis. The event drew more than 28,000 visitors over three days.
