SUBMITTED PHOTO The Chinook Pheasants Forever unveiled a monument Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019 on the north side of the Trans-Canada Highway between Dunmore and Irvine, representing the importance of the region's wildlife. The group is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, upland birds and other wildlife. Pictured from left are Jim Marshall, Merv Kopperud, Kevin Burton, Curtis Ensminger, Ralph Vandam and Jeremy Rattai.
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Chinook Pheasants Forever revealed and dedicated a monument on Wednesday evening to attract attention and remind people of the value of wildlife and its habitat.
“It’s … to inform people about Chinook Pheasants Forever and our mission and our vision for wildlife conservation and habitat,” said president Jeremy Rattai. “It’s hopefully going to be a legacy piece that will be there for many generations to come and encourage people to get involved and support the organization.”
The organization, founded in 1993, is dedicated to conservation of pheasants, upland birds and other wildlife. It wants to see future generations of hunters and conservationists able to enjoy thriving populations of wildlife and birds, said Rattai.
The monument is located on the north side of the Trans-Canada Highway between Dunmore and Irvine. It is at the Alberta Conservation Association Ross Creek Site, near Range Road 35.
Rattai says the location was chosen because it is a favourite spot for people to park their vehicle and enjoy a walk in the natural countryside.
“That is one of the good access points to the property that allows people to go out … and enjoy the wildlife,” said Rattai. “There’s some pheasants, there’s deer, there’s lot of stuff.”
The money to cover the cost of the monument, created by local artist Jim Marshall, was raised by volunteers, said Rattai. Malcolm Sissons helped with the brick-laying work.
The organization has been partnering with Alberta Conservation Association for a number of years, and representatives attended the monument dedication, said Rattai.
“We’ve been donating funds, money we’ve raised, towards the securement of land and habitat that will be secured and preserved for generations to come,” said Rattai.
This ensures the land will not be developed in future and keeps the land in its natural state, which is the best habitat for wildlife, he said.
“It benefits not just pheasants, it benefits deer and other birds and owls and all the habitat is geared towards a multi-use opportunity for people” said Rattai.
Chinook Pheasants Forever holds an annual banquet each spring that about 300 people attend helping to raise funds for the vision of the organization, said Rattai. There is a core group of about 20 volunteers that arranges the banquet.
