Washington Electricians Create Union Tradesman Chapter of Pheasants Forever

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ Local 46 strives to improve wildlife habitat

Kent, Wash. – June 19, 2008 – Outdoors enthusiasts from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ Local 46 have formed Pheasants Forever’s
(PF) second-ever union based chapter. The new chapter, named the Union Tradesman Chapter of PF, is comprised of a group of electricians who want to conserve and enhance wildlife habitat in Washington state.

Due to their unique position of belonging to a local union group - comprising over 3,500 members - the Union Tradesman chapter is already anticipating expanding its efforts throughout much of Washington. "This chapter wants to come together with not only local union members, but we want to branch out and recruit other unions and trade groups to be a part of our conservation efforts as well," said chapter president Greg Galusha of Maple Valley. "We have a great opportunity to help improve and protect a vast amount of wildlife habitat."

"The Union itself has a large population of members who are very active in the outdoor world," explained Kraig Paulson, Regional Wildlife Biologist for PF. "These people have always wanted to work to improve habitat. As a union that's now become part of PF, this group will have the ability to have a profound impact on the local wildlife."

To date, most PF chapters have been based on geographic county lines.
Despite being non-traditional in this sense, the Union Tradesman chapter will operate like any PF chapter. PF empowers chapters with the responsibility to determine how 100% of their locally raised conservation funds will be spent. Along with PF's quail division, Quail Forever, PF is the only national conservation organization that operates through this truly grassroots structure. As a result, chapter volunteers are able to see the fruits of their efforts locally, while belonging to a larger national organization with a voice on federal and state conservation policy. PF's first union chapter was formed in Minnesota last year by the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters.

This chapter is also very special in the fact that their Union is home to new facilities that can be put to great use. "We are looking forward to holding events here at the Union because we have an opportunity to use our Main Hall for events such as chapter banquets - free of rental fees to our group," added Galusha, "Having the ability to do this will also help to generate interest and activity in our chapter, and people will see how easy it is to become involved with the outstanding organization that PF is."

The Union Tradesman chapter meets on the first Monday of every month at 5:30 PM in Room 2 of the Local 46’s Main Hall, located at 19802 62nd Ave South in Kent, Washington. For more information on the chapter, contact Galusha at (206)354-6626 or via e-mail at gregg@ibew46.com. For more information on PF in Washington, to start a chapter or join one of the state's existing chapters contact Kraig Paulson at (360)353-8200 or via e-mail at kpaulson@pheasantsforever.org.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 127,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.