Unlike many landowners that call Cass County home, Cassopolis resident Jeff Nelson’s 30-acres of property in Jefferson Township isn’t tilled or flatted for crops or livestock.

Instead, since buying his land in 1998, Nelson has spent much of his time and energy restoring his grassy fields back to their natural state, to share his home with the bountiful number of native species that inhabit the area.

Now, the Cassopolis man is the new person in charge of a group dedicated toward restoring many of the county’s habitats in the same fashion.

Nelson was recently elected president of the Cass County chapter of Pheasants Forever, a nonprofit organization devoted toward enhancing wildlife populations throughout North
America.

Nelson is one of several local residents taking on new leadership positions within the club, as many of the older leaders stepped down to serve other roles.

While certainly a new hat for the man to wear, Nelson is no stranger to the local chapter, having been a member and sponsor since it began here in the county in 1998, shortly after he and his wife moved into the area from Goshen, he said.

“Their main goal is restoring habitats for wildlife, so it was natural that when they started we got involved,” Nelson said.

Nelson and the other 50 to 80 core members organize a number of activities throughout the year, primarily planting projects in which members work with other land owners to grow prairie grass, switch grass, wild flowers and other native vegetation to support the populations of local wildlife. The members also organize several events throughout the year, including a youth pheasant hunt, which takes place this year on March 21.

Though many of its members are outdoor enthusiasts, the mission of the organization lies outside simple recreation, Nelson said.

“While a lot of people see us as just a hunting group, our real goal is the restoration of natural habitats, not just for pheasants but for all species,” Nelson said.

Several pieces of county land have been improved due to the efforts of the chapter, including the cultivation of prairie grass on 50 acres of land near the COA building in Cassopolis, Nelson said.

As president of the organization, Nelson is interested in branching out into new restoration projects, looking into supporting the county’s pollinators and similar endeavors that residents even living in urban areas can participate in.

“We want to start focusing on smaller projects, so we can get even more land owners involved,” Nelson said.

The members are also working to prepare for their annual fundraiser banquet, which takes place later this year on Sept. 24.