Rob Peterson, 53, of Colorado Springs, Colo., has donated his 640-acre property near Cimarron, Kans., to Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever as part of the organization’s Grassroots Conservation Campaign, furthering PF’s habitat mission and generously providing a place for future hunters and outdoorspeople to enjoy forever. Peterson, a long-time PF member and Pikes Peak Colorado Pheasants Forever chapter co-chair, noted that his father’s passion for the outdoors and the time they spent hunting and fishing are the main reasons to make Pheasants Forever the recipient of his major gift.
Peterson, a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, grew up in Minnesota where he learned to appreciate the outdoors with his father, Robert Peterson, Sr., through countless hours hunting and fishing. “We spent a lot of time in the outdoors with each other,” Col. Peterson said. “The success of the hunt was not always a big deal to us. It was the experience of spending time together that we valued most.” Those outdoor experiences are what shaped his dream for honoring his father’s memory. In 2010, during one of the last conversations Rob had with his father, he told his dad of his plan to dedicate a piece of land in his memory so his outdoor legacy could live on forever. Shortly after this conversation, Rob’s father lost his battle with cancer.
The property is currently being converted to productive wildlife habitat. “Habitat is my vision, because I realize if we don’t have the habitat, the upland hunting is going to dry up,” Col. Peterson said. “If we don’t have the habitat, we can’t ensure there will be an opportunity for young people to hunt 20, 30, 40 years from now.”
“We are extraordinarily honored that Col. Peterson chose Pheasants Forever to fulfill his dream and honor his father’s memory,” said Howard K. Vincent, President and CEO of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, “His generosity is a defining characteristic of a visionary, using his abilities to further what he is passionate about. This gift will Make a Lasting Impact for years to come, and I applaud Col. Peterson for joining Pheasants Forever’s Habitat Legacy Society though this generous legacy contribution.”
Col. Peterson credited Pheasants Forever’s Farm Bill biologist program for providing expert guidance with the grassland restoration through the federal Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), and PF Development Officer Jordan Martincich for helping execute the gift through the organization’s Grassroots Conservation Campaign.
“Rob’s father had a passion for the outdoors and the legacy partnership formed with Pheasants Forever means the Peterson family values and traditions will continue forever. We hope others join the Peterson family in their vision of permanently protecting wildlife habitat forever more,” Martincich said.
Col. Peterson will continue to manage and enjoy the property throughout his lifetime. Upon his passing, Pheasants Forever will oversee the property for wildlife habitat and public use. In addition to the land gift, Col. Peterson has donated a significant portion of his estate to Pheasants Forever with the goal of furthering the outdoor traditions that both he and his father enjoyed.
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