Lifelong advocate for upland conservation will speak on the origins and future of The Habitat Organization
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are thrilled to introduce Dennis Anderson as the keynote speaker and featured guest for the 2026 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic Celebration Dinner. Passes are now available to hear Anderson’s message and attend the nation’s foremost upland hunting and conservation tradeshow coming to the Minneapolis Convention Center on February 20-22, presented by Federal Ammunition.
“It's hard to believe more than four decades have passed since pheasant hunters united in 1982 to form what would become a nationwide movement for upland landscapes,” Anderson said. “Although the lifeblood of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever – impassioned volunteers – remains a constant, the organization has grown more efficient and effective than ever before. I’m honored to highlight this transition as well as the obstacles we must overcome as an outdoor community.”
While serving as the former outdoors editor for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and Dispatch, Anderson wrote an article in the spring of 1982 highlighting his concern for grassland habitat in Minnesota. This lit a spark across the state after hundreds of hunters and prairie enthusiasts agreed with his desire to protect grassland vistas and their iconic wildlife species, namely the ring-necked pheasant. After rallying supporters and joined by a committed board of directors and a growing number of energetic volunteers, the first Pheasants Forever banquet was held in 1983 with Dennis Anderson serving as a principal founder and first national chairperson.
Now serving as the outdoors columnist for the Minnesota Star Tribune, Anderson has gathered many accolades throughout his career while chronicling both the triumphs and tribulations of Minnesota’s natural resources and wildlife. This includes a Pulitzer Prize finalist for specialized reporting, a Scripps Howard Foundation Best Conservation Reporting in a Major Newspaper Award, a national Associated Press Sports Editor Award for investigative reporting, twice winner of the Frank Premack Award for best public affairs reporting, and twice winner of the Twin Cities Best Newspaper Columnist Award. In 2008, he played a major role in the passage of the Minnesota Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment, the state’s key mechanism for conservation funding, which has set a national precedent for financing fish and wildlife resources.
Purchase passes now to witness Dennis Anderson’s keynote speech at the 2026 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic. Member and non-member admission options include full weekend passes, the Friday Night Upland Rally on February 20, and the National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic Banquet Celebration Dinner featuring Dennis Anderson on Saturday evening. Click HERE to review pass options.
National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic 2026, presented by Federal Ammunition, will be the nation’s largest tradeshow and convention for upland hunters, landowners, bird dog lovers, and wildlife habitat conservationists. Coming back to this year’s event will be the “Concert for Conservation” featuring Turnpike Troubadours – new seats were just released to the public, act now to reserve yours today.