40 2024 Annual Report
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Conservation
Game bird habitat work continues under Berggren Pheasant Plan
Since their introduction to Nebraska around 1900, ring-necked pheasants have become a fi xture of the
state's agricultural landscape and cultural heritage. Populations have ebbed and fl owed with changes in
agricultural land-use and farming practices, which often are driven by technological advancements and
federal farm policies.
For the past decade, Nebraska Game and Parks has been working closely with farmers as part of the
Berggren Pheasant Plan to conduct habitat work that benefi ts pheasants within specifi c regions of Nebraska.
Incentives are given to farmers for enrollment into and management of Conservation Reserve Program acres,
however, some grassland improvement projects, cover crop plantings and other incentives also are included.
In 2024, Nebraska Game and Parks completed 183 projects on 15,229 acres in six of the eight pheasant
opportunity areas, including the southwest, south-central and northeast. Though the habitat work focuses
largely on pheasants, other game birds, such as quail and grouse, and many other species of wildlife benefi t
from healthy and consistent grassland habitats.
Conservation partnerships
Collaborative eff orts with local communities, organizations, and federal agencies have enabled Game and
Parks to expand its conservation impact. These partnerships have facilitated large-scale projects that tackle
environmental challenges, such as invasive species management and water quality improvement, promoting
a healthier ecosystem for generations to come.
Grassland birds, such as this greater
prairie-chicken, benefi t from the
Commission's habitat technical
assistance to an additional 150
private landowners.
