Pheasants Forever celebrates 36 years in Cheyenne County
High Plains Chapter hosts annual fundraising dinner
By Forrest HershbergerSIDNEY – The High Plains #278 chapter of Pheasants Forever celebrated 36 years in Cheyenne County Saturday.
The annual banquet is a celebration of support for the Pheasants Forever program and fundraising for local programs.
Club President Sandi Bybee said the club spent 2025 busy with environmental projects.
“We’ve done a lot of habitat in our area, and we’re working towards conservation in our area. And we were voted out of 60 chapters in Nebraska we won the top habitat award this year and we also raised the most money out of 60 chapters,” she said.
Saturday’s event nearly filled the 4-H building. The night included a catered dinner, live and silent auctions.
“This is probably kind of normal. We have girls state basketball, so sometimes we’re a little bit heavier, sometimes we’re not. People come from everywhere. We’re happy to have everyone come out. It’s a good time, and we’re just glad everyone can come out and help support us,” she said.
Pheasants Forever is unique in that it empowers local members, volunteers and landowners in Cheyenne County and the surrounding area to see how all of their locally raised funds are allocated. Pheasants Forever is the only habitat organization that gives local chapters the ability to directly impact their region and witness the benefits firsthand. The High Plains chapter also gives back to veterans, hosting an annual Veterans Hunt when veterans are offered the opportunity to connect with the outdoors.
About Pheasants Forever -- In 1982, a group of pheasant hunters saw the connection between upland habitat loss and declining pheasant populations. An organization dedicated to wildlife habitat conservation was needed, and Pheasants Forever was formed. Then in 2005, as quail numbers continued to decline nationwide, passionate conservationists across the country stepped up once again to found Quail Forever. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s mission is to conserve pheasants, quail, and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public access, education and conservation advocacy.