Habitat & Conservation  |  08/29/2024

Contribution from Pleasureland RV Conserves Habitat in Memory of Justin Pearson


0cf3f4db-4007-4d45-8d8f-3a8e533314b7

Funds secure public access, assist private land programs and implement outreach strategies

Pheasants Forever is proud to celebrate a generous donation from Pleasureland RV Center and the Dan Pearson Family in memory of Justin Pearson, a dedicated upland hunter and conservationist who passed away in 2006. The contribution, which was gifted during the organization’s now complete Call of the Uplands Campaign®, has been utilized to fund a trio of mission priorities in Minnesota. 
 
“The memory of Justin Pearson, including his love for the outdoors, will exist in perpetuity thanks to the vision of his family and a company who understand the incredible values and healing properties of being immersed in nature,” said Eran Sandquist, Director of Conservation Delivery for the Midwest region. “This gift is impacting thousands of acres, landowners, and Pheasants Forever program participants through outreach and education, extending the impact to every corner of Minnesota.”
 
The donation from Pleasureland RV Center and the Pearson Family also acknowledges the life and benevolence of the family patriarch, Dan Pearson, who passed away in late September 2023. Remembered by his friends and family as a humble soul who gave generously to worthy causes, Pearson lived a life of service to his community. 
 
“I can only imagine Dad (Dan) and my brother (Justin) are smiling and walking together through a field somewhere, knowing that their influence is helping thousands of outdoorsmen and women do the very same thing across Minnesota,” said Whitney Pearson-Curtis of Pleasureland RV Center. “Outdoor recreation was important to my dad and brother and is one of the core values of Pleasureland RV Center; it’s an honor to contribute to Pheasants Forever’s work in this space on behalf of our family members.”  
 
The legacy of Dan and Justin Pearson will live in perpetuity thanks to contributions from the family, helping secure the following projects and initiatives in the state of Minnesota: 
 
  • The Justin V. Pearson Memorial Tract at Powers Lake Wildlife Management Area in Meeker County adds 267 acres of access to the existing complex. The tract includes 160 acres of grassland restoration in a core grassland bird conservation area, just 50 miles from the western suburbs of the Twin Cities. 
  • The Pearson Family donation helped secure the 280-acre Wendland Waterfowl Production Area as an addition to Beyer WPA, which includes 80 acres of potential grassland restoration and permanently protects 144 acres of grasslands.
  • This gift also assisted the expansion of PF’s private lands biologist team allowing the organization to improve more than 40,000 acres and work with more than 4,000 farmers on voluntary conservation programs. 
Additionally, Pheasants Forever has long maintained a goal to increase education and outreach initiatives in Minnesota – the Pearson Family donation helped advance the delivery of this programming focused on getting new people, both young and old, into the outdoors.