Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education, and land management policies and programs.

Students can read about prairie, wildlife habitat and Nebraska’s natural heritage. Or they can harvest wildflower seeds, mix them with native grasses and plant them in land that once was tallgrass prairie. Which sounds like a more effective way to learn?

In a groundbreaking project, Pheasants Forever joined with Norris High School FFA to plant a 65-acre prairie on school property south of Lincoln to teach students about agriculture, natural history and the conservation ethic. The University of Nebraska will also use the plot to demonstrate biofuels research.

Ken Hesser, a PF member, pitched the idea to the school board and administration, which embraced it. FFA students prepared the field in Fall 2006, collected wildflower seeds and in spring, they planted 12 different grasses and 40 broad-leafed plants. “The seed planted in their minds is far more important than the seeds we planted in the ground,” said Hesser.

A 16-year-old FFA member looks forward to visiting the prairie. “I know I am going to go back and take graduation and possibly some wedding pictures in it,” she said. It’s not everyday a student says she wants graduation pictures taken at school.

Joe Duggan, Lincoln Journal Star, May 2007