New Faces in the Field: The Importance of Increasing Women in Conservation

Photos by Cayla Bendel, Education & Outreach Program Coordinator in North Dakota.

There is a growing number of woman landowners and operators across the country, and Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever recognizes this growth. In response, the organization strives to develop support and education for everyone who is interested in making conservation decisions on the landscape. This knowledge and excitement, along with the increasing trend of women hunter-conservationists, helped spur the organization’s Women on the Wing Initiative, which officially began in 2018.

The ultimate vision of Women on the Wing is to create a larger audience of engaged conservationists, which circles back to the organization’s mission and continues to provide opportunities for anyone interested in wildlife habitat conservation.

There are four unique priorities within the initiative that are designed to engage a larger audience both within the organization and in the wider conservation community: Women, Wine & Wild Game social events, Women on the Wing chapters, Recruit, Retain and Reactivate (R3) events, and Conservation Outreach.

The Conservation Outreach program specifically focuses on supporting and inspiring woman landowners and operators. Since its inception, Women on the Wing has hosted more than 35 Conservation Outreach and Women Caring for the Land events with more than 560 participants across the country.

There is a wide range of education provided through these tailored events. Participants learn everything from how to create quality wildlife habitat on their property to prescribed fire practices. Additionally, attendees learn about the importance of these practices and how they relate to soil health and improved water quality.

Women on the Wing works closely with partners such as the Women, Food and Ag Network (WFAN), agricultural groups such as Farmers Union, other non-profit organizations, and state agencies to draw on shared experiences to provide and deliver a variety of opportunities for those who are seeking more information on wildlife habitat and conservation practices for the land. Additionally, the Women, Food and Ag Network created Women Caring for the Land events that are designed to serve female non-operator landowners who are interested in learning more about conservation.

In 2017, the Census of Agriculture provided by the USDA indicated 1.23 million women identified as producers, which equates to 36 percent of overall producers and 29.13 percent of all principal operators. Additionally, 56 percent of all farms indicated there was at least one female with the role of decision maker.

Likewise, the 2017 Iowa survey found that women own 55 percent of leased farmland and own 47 percent of all farmland in the state.

Research provided by WFAN indicates that women landowners have strong conservation values. However, these landowners are not participating in conservation programs, particularly Farm Bill programs, in the numbers that represent their stated values. This is just one example of why there is an increasing need to provide quality events and educational material for this audience.

Conservation Outreach and Women Caring for the Land events take place over the course of a day, or occasionally are spread out over a weekend. A field tour is included as a portion of each session, allowing individuals to get their hands dirty and learn how to put these practices, such as improving wildlife habitat, prescribed fire and more, to use on their own properties. These hands-on trainings help show participants the correlation between quality wildlife habitat, soil heath, and improved water quality. Additionally, participants learn how quality habitat can positively impact a variety of wildlife species. Everything from monarch butterflies, to grassland songbirds and upland species such as pheasants and quail. Attendees become connected to their local biologists and resources that can provide information and help as they start to implement new management practices on their own land.

After these events, women reflect on the fun that was had throughout the day, but more importantly the knowledge and resources gained from the experience. They also appreciate the unique format tailored just for them.

“Not only did I gain general knowledge on land management, and learned about resources available, but it was nice to spend a day visiting with women and having the discussion be educational, important and worth the time,” exclaimed a previous attendee to a Women Caring for the Land event.

“These events are reaching an audience that traditional conservation outreach misses,” said Cayla Bendel, North Dakota’s Education & Outreach Program Coordinator. “With an increase in women landowners and operators nationwide, Pheasant Forever and Quail Forever recognize the need to broaden the range of the habitat mission. Whether recently inheriting land, or just starting their own operation, women express their connection to the land and desire to conserve it for future generations. Inspire those women, allow them to see the impacts of conservation first-hand, and connect them to the resources that can help make it possible. This is ultimately leading to more acres of wildlife habitat and more advocates for land stewardship.”

Our Women on the Wing Initiative recognizes the diverse roles that women play in agriculture and land management. These programs broaden the extent of our conservation outreach, and ultimately the conservation impact that can be had on the land. After all, more habitat equals healthier soil, cleaner water, and a broader diversity of wildlife that we all strive to see on the landscape. And that’s something to truly get excited about.

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Marissa Jensen serves as the Education & Outreach Program Manager for Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever and leads the organization’s Women on the Wing Initiative. Born and raised in Nebraska, she enjoys exploring the uplands with her bird dogs in the fall and fly fishing with her son in the spring. Marissa is passionate about conservation and sharing this enthusiasm and knowledge with others.