Habitat restoration and repopulation are important factors of the Washington County Pheasants Forever chapter, and the chapter recently received a grant to help their efforts.

Pheasants Forever received a $15,000 grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation. Pheasants Forever Habitat Chair Scott Mellinger explains what the grant is funding, “It’ll be going towards a native grass drill, and the purpose of the native grass drill is to enter seed and/or establish new native seeding.”

Mellinger says this new seed drill will replace an existing one, and has more functions to perform more habitat work on public and private grounds. Mellinger says the drill will give better cover of food where pheasants reside, and will be especially important for the winter months.

Mellinger says the local chapter has been putting an emphasis on youth programs, assisting with local 4-H, archery, and trap groups. Mellinger says the chapter is always looking for new members to help generate new ideas of how Pheasants Forever should use their funds, including grants from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation.