Pheasants Forever donates $50K toward Menser Farm Preserve

Somerset County Pheasants Forever Chapter 603 donated $50,255.88 Wednesday to the Somerset County Conservancy toward the purchase of the Menser Farm Preserve in Somerset Township.

The conservancy started fundraising this spring to purchase the 272 acres of farm land and wooded area that is adjacent to the conservancy’s Kimberly Run Natural Area in Somerset Township, Somerset County. The organization has now raised enough money to cover the approximately $400,000 project.

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Between the two properties there are 646 acres permanently open to the public. Mike Maurer, secretary of the local pheasants chapter, said, “Outdoor enthusiasts now have permanent access to this natural area, which is within 3 miles of downtown Somerset. It hosts biologically diverse older growth forests, bogs, a trail system and outdoor education facilities.”

Maurer said Pheasant Forever raised the money through various fundraisers over the the last two decades and wanted to donate money toward a public property that has good wildlife habitat. Jim Smith, habitat coordinator for Pheasants Forever, said, “The property has tremendous potential,” he said about creating wetlands and field areas for a variety of bird species and wildlife.

“The advantages of having a wild habitat area close to a major population center are enumerable, that’s priceless. People can come out and enjoy the wild and they’re not that far from the city.”

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Jeff Payne, president of the conservancy, said the property is open to the public for hiking and hunting and Pheasants Forever’s ongoing support with habitat improvements and donations is appreciated.

“Pheasants Forever likes this because it’s an area we are managing in cooperation with the Game Commission and pheasants are stocked here.”

Payne added there are close to 2 miles of walking trails in the area for people to enjoy throughout the year.

Brian Whipkey is the outdoors columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at bwhipkey@gannett.com and sign up for our weekly Outdoors Newsletter email on your website’s homepage under your login name.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Pheasants Forever donates to Somerset County Conservancy