Raise funds to acquire and restore critical wildlife habitat and open it to public recreation - that's the goal of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Build a Wildlife Area program. Through a unique funding mechanism utilizing state, federal, and other grants, the Build a Wildlife Area program puts 100 percent of the funds donated directly toward land acquisition projects, creating public access, conserving critical habitat for wildlife and preserving outdoor heritage traditions
Every $1 contributed to the Build A Wildlife Area® is leveraged through strategic partnerships and grant funding into $10 that goes directly into the program’s land acquisition projects. There is no better way way for you to put new places open to hunting on the Iowa map!
Donors will receive recognition at the state convention and for significant contributions, donors will have their name etched on the Build a Wildlife Area monument sited at the area. Upon project completion, a dedication ceremony to celebrate our great outdoors and recognize our donors will be held on select Build a Wildlife Area sites.
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Build a Wildlife Area program:
• Creates Public Access: The program has played a significant role in the organization’s opening over 200,000 acres to public hunting and outdoor recreation.
• Conserves critical habitat for wildlife: Preserving the land for the benefit of upland wildlife and other wildlife.
• Preserves outdoor heritage traditions: Giving hunters more access to continue our outdoor heritage tradition.
To donate to the Build a Wildlife Area program in Iowa, contact:
Eric Sytsma, Habitat Protection Officer
ESytsma@pheasantsforever.org or at (515) 423-4747
-page-001.jpg "Welch Lake WPA Addition")
The Welch Lake WPA addition is 140.56 acres of future public hunting ground in the prairie pothole region of northwest Iowa! It includes 10 acres of remnant prairie and 17 acres of wetlands. The remaining acres will be converted from cropland to diverse native prairie.
The project is immediately adjacent to the 743 acre Welch Lake WPA, and the 263 acre Welch Lake WMA, and only a half mile from the Diamond Lake WMA and Diamond Lake WPA.
The property is part of the West Okoboji Lake Watershed and Welch Lake Resource Management Area. It is part of the Caylor Prairie Bird Conservation Area.
This project is being completed in partnership with Nestle' Purina PetCare and the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund which is administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
The property will be owned and managed by the USFWS out of their Iowa Wetland Management District and in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
The 160 acre McCormick addition to the Hale WMA in Jones County will add on to an existing piece of public access ground.
This property will offer excellent pheasant, deer, turkey and waterfowl and squirrel hunting.
This property will been transferred to the Jones County Conservation Board once fundraising is completed.
The 40 acre addition to Pilot Knob WMA has been purchased by Pheasants Forever and will be transferred to ownership of the Iowa DNR. This property will serve as a valuable addition to the complex of public land in the area and will be a great sight for hunting upland birds and waterfowl.
This project will be donated to the Iowa DNR, and all the expenses incurred will be leveraged as match money in an application for funds from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) to do more habitat restoration and public land acquisition!
These projects have been completed and are now open to the public!
Thanks to all the chapters, partners, volunteers and donors who made these projects possible!
The 269 acre Tama County property is located 2.4 miles west of the Meskwaki Casino on US HWY 30.
This property has potential for great upland and waterfowl hunting, as well as deer hunting and has access to the Iowa River.
This property has been transferred to the Iowa DNR and is officially in public hands!
The 206 acre Petersen Addition in Southwest Jackson County connects the McAndrews Wildlife Area and the Eden Valley Refuge to create a 605 acre public land complex!
This project is located in a key area within short driving distance of several major urban areas including Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Davenport. The estimated population within 50 miles of the property is 946,000!
This beautiful property provides habitat for deer, pheasant, quail, turkey, waterfowl and a wide variety of other game and non-game species!
This project has been completed! You are welcome to go explore this wonderful public property!
