Kandiyohi County Pheasants Forever Chapter honors volunteer’s memory
Dalton Johnson Wildlife Management Area to be dedicated on August 17th

Willmar, Minn. – August 8, 2005 – Pheasants Forever and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announce the dedication of a 149-acre parcel of land in Kandiyohi County on Wednesday, August 17^th at 6PM.  The land is located east of Lake Lillian and it will become the Dalton Johnson Wildlife Management Area (WMA) open to public hunting and other compatible outdoor recreation. 

Who was Dalton Johnson? Dalton was founding member of the Kandiyohi County Pheasants Forever Chapter, which happened to be the first PF chapter outside of the PF National Office in St. Paul.  He worked tirelessly to keep the fledgling chapter going and was committed to the cause of establishing quality habitat to help all wildlife.  Dalton was tragically killed by a drunk driver on April 16th, 1993 and this project celebrates his conservation efforts.

What: Dalton Johnson WMA Land Dedication

When: Wednesday August 17, 2005 at 6 PM

Where: 3 miles east of Lake Lillian, on the south side of state highway 7.

Who: Members of the media are encouraged to attend.  The event is open to the public.  Representatives from Pheasants Forever, Minnesota DNR, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and several partners will be in attendance.  The land’s sellers, the family of Ambrose and Kendrietta Bomstad, will also be in attendance as well as the family of Dalton Johnson. 

Donors:  Kandiyohi, Meeker, and Renville County PF Chapters, Minnesota DNR, North American Wetlands Conservation Act, Ducks Unlimited, PF Minnesota Habitat Fund, Minnesota Pheasant Stamp, Family of Ambrose and Kendrietta Bomstad, Willmar Sportsman’s Club, Raymond Town and Country Sportsman’s Club, Kandiyohi and Crow River Chapters of the Minnesota Deer Hunter’s Association, Willmar Fraternal Order of Eagle’s, Willmar American Legion Post #167.

The wetland and grassland habitat restoration was completed in partnership with the USFWS Partners for Wildlife Program, Minnesota DNR Heritage Enhancement Program, North American Wetlands Conservation Act, Kandiyohi County PF, and PF’s Upper Minnesota River Basin Habitat Team.