Bismarck, N.D. – February 12, 2008 – Pheasants Forever (PF) announces Jesse Beckers as the organization’s new North Dakota-specific regional wildlife biologist. A recent North Dakota State University (NDSU) graduate, Beckers assumes responsibility for the state from Dan Hare. Formerly the PF regional wildlife biologist in North Dakota and Montana, Hare is now the PF regional wildlife biologist specific to Montana.
Graduating from NDSU in December 2007 with a Master’s Degree in Natural Resources Management, Beckers’ primary duties with PF will include starting and servicing chapters in North Dakota. He will work with chapters in raising and expending funds on wildlife habitat and conservation education, as well as work with local, state, and federal natural resource agencies on behalf of PF chapters. “My life goal has always been to leave the land in a better condition than it was before I got there,” Beckers said, “This position as a regional wildlife biologist for Pheasants Forever will allow me to fulfill that goal.”
Beckers has always had a strong connection with PF and conservation. In his youth, he was a Ringnecks member (PF youth member) and later received a PF scholarship in high school to study natural resources management at NDSU. As an undergrad and graduate student he worked as a restorationist for Prairie Restorations, Inc. and later as a biological science technician for the United States Geological Survey. An avid conservation activist at NDSU, Beckers will promote greater PF involvement across the state, and one of his goals includes engaging student conservationists by starting chapters on campuses.
“Jesse Beckers will be an amazing addition to the PF team and more importantly to the future of pheasants, upland birds and other wildlife across North Dakota,” remarked Matt Holland, Sr. Field Coordinator for PF. “We are very excited that he will be able to focus on North Dakota. He has the energy and passion to meet the challenges of maintaining and improving habitat across the state.”
A native of Princeton, Minnesota, Beckers resides in Bismarck. His fiancée, Devils Lake, North Dakota native Beth Horner, will graduate from NDSU this spring. Beckers can be reached at (701)202-8120 or via e-mail jbeckers@pheasantsforever.org.
PF has a great history within North Dakota and Beckers will be a strong asset to the state. The first North Dakota PF chapter formed in 1986. Since then, the state’s 24 chapters and over 2,000 members have spent over $1.37 million to complete 3,721 habitat projects benefiting over 40,000 North Dakota acres for pheasants and other wildlife.
Pheasants Forever is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of quail and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. Such efforts benefit landowners and wildlife alike.
For additional information about Pheasants Forever, please visit www.pheasantsforever.org
