"The Habitat Organization" Recruits New Leaders for National Youth Leadership Council

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever has named six new recruits to the organization’s National Youth Leadership Council – an advisory board of 20 young people from around the country, ages 12-18, who represent the hunting and conservation community for their age group. The new faces of the National Youth Leadership Council will join their existing colleagues in advocating for youth-oriented outdoor programs and conservation initiatives nationwide.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s National Youth Leadership Council has worked on such important issues as bringing attention to the Federal Farm Bill and its significance to wildlife habitat conservation. In fact, members of the group met with U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives during the last Farm Bill debate to voice their generation’s concerns for conservation. They have also helped pass state legislation to reduce age restrictive barriers to introduce young people to hunting.

“We call upon these young leaders to be active in their communities, states, and on a national level,” stated Cheryl Riley, vice president of education and outreach for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. “They work with their local Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever chapters, help with local habitat projects and shooting teams, make presentations, write articles, testify on legislation, get other kids outdoors, and run the Youth Village at our annual Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic. In all they do, they are strong role models for other youth.”

National Youth Leadership Council Recruits

Madison Sierra – A 14-year old from Center Hill, Florida, Sierra was nominated to the NYLC by the Florida Sportsman Chapter of Quail Forever. An honors student in her hometown, she enjoys hunting, fishing, and roller skating during her free time. Volunteering for her local chapter of Quail Forever, Sierra enjoys sharing her passion for the outdoors, helping others learn outdoor skills, and practicing wildlife habitat conservation.

Seth Edelen – Nominated by the Black Hills Area Chapter of Pheasants Forever, Edelen is a 15-year old Pheasants Forever member from Rapid City, S.D. He is an active athlete who participates in playing football, wrestling, and track at his local high school. Currently serving as a Senior Patrol Leader with the Boy Scouts, Edelen has a strong affinity for wildlife habitat conservation and enjoys sharing this passion with others.

Bailey Schrepfer – Residing in Russellville, Arkansas, 16-year old Schrepfer is an active member of her local chapter of Quail Forever and assists in planning their annual youth hunt and banquet. In school, Bailey is active in softball, basketball, and BETA Club. An avid upland hunter who is passionate about wildlife habitat, Schrepfer was nominated to the NYLC by the Arkansas River Valley Chapter of Quail Forever.

Sawyer Palmer – Nominated to the NYLC by the Macomb County Chapter of Pheasants Forever, Palmer is a 15-year old from New Haven, Michigan. An Honors Academy Student who enjoys playing football and volunteering for numerous conservation organizations, Palmer hopes to have an impact for wildlife habitat conservation by serving on the NYLC with his peers.

Aidan McMaster – Coming from a family-farm background in the small town of Owosso, Michigan, 14-year old Aidan McMaster has witnessed the benefits of conservation practices that have been implemented on his family’s acreage. An active participant in school sports, extracurricular activities, and several conservation groups, land stewardship is an important concept for McMaster and the main reason for his involvement with the NYLC. McMaster was nominated for the Council by the Shiawassee Chapter of Pheasants Forever.

Alex Winter – Nominated to the NYLC by the Iowa Capitol Chapter of Pheasants Forever, Alex Winter is a 16-year old avid outdoorsman who currently resides in Dallas Center, Iowa. Winter is an active participant in Pheasants Forever chapter events, and is also a member of the Iowa Honey Producers Association and supports two beehives on his family’s property. When not participating in football, wrestling, track, or baseball at his local high school, Winter can be found in the outdoors fulfilling his passion for wildlife habitat conservation.

About Pheasants Forever

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 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; the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure. Since creation in 1982, Pheasants Forever has completed 489,000 habitat projects benefiting over 12 million acres nationwide.

Photo Credit: Row 1 (left to right): Travis Smith (MN), Kayla Farago (MT), Emma Smith (MD), Aidan McMaster (MI), Lanier Forster (GA), Shawna Pantzke (ND), Bailey Schrepfer (AR), Madison Sierra (FL)
Row 2 (L to R): Cheryl Riley (VP Education & Outreach), Kayla Gadeken (NE), Bailey Decker (MO), Alison Fenske (SD), Jared Austin (KS), Hunter Spenle (WI), Don Ogden (WI), Rich Wissink (Director of Youth Programs) Row 3 (L to R): Derek Damman (IA), Alex Winter (IA), Kyle Holden (WI), Nate Shafer (IA), Sawyer Palmer (MI), Triston Ihrke (IL), Austin Winter (IA), Wyatt Fornstrum (WY) Not Pictured: Will Kordenbrock (MI), Jacob Wietzema (IA)


Media Contact
Jared Wiklund
(651) 209-4953
jwiklund@pheasantsforever.org