One outdoorsman's commitment to the greater good can be traced to a narrow need years ago.
"There was nowhere to take my 10-year-old son hunting," said Scott Rall of Worthington.
What spun from that epiphany is a steady track record of service to the habitat of southwest Minnesota. "The prairie protector" is the way Field & Stream magazine referred to Rall in June 2014, when it honored him in its pages as one of its "Heroes of Conservation."
President of the Pheasants Forever chapter in Nobles County, Rall earned the magazine's recognition for helping the group and its funding partners buy a 147-acre land parcel that today is the Worthington Wells Wildlife Management Area. Rall, a financial adviser, also was among six finalists for the magazine's "Hero of the Year" award.
"When I die, my name will soon be forgotten, but the public lands that remain and the trees I planted on those lands will endure forever," said Rall, 55, in an e-mail. "Public lands and the opportunities they provide to the current generations and the generations that follow will be a legacy I can be proud of. This is what keeps me going, and I am more motivated today than I have ever been."
Here are edited excerpts from a recent interview:
Did the recognition as a "Hero of Conservation" have any immediate effect?
There was a fair amount of attention paid to this effort locally. The local newspaper picked it up and ran a few stories. Pheasants Forever, that is where most of my conservation efforts are expended, also included it in its magazine. As far as jump-starting any new fundraising or other initiatives, it did not have much immediate effect.
Nobles County was named the No. 1 chapter in the nation the year following the nomination. We were also the No. 1 chapter in the nation in 2010. The Field & Stream effort was not part of this success. We continue to be a top chapter in the nation every year, in the top 10 almost all of the time. The chapter is thriving and had its greatest fundraising year in 2014 in the chapter's 33-year history. Our membership stays steady, and we continue to be one of the largest membership chapters in Minnesota. We have one of the largest chapter committees with more than 25 volunteers that show up to meet regularly.
Any notable current projects or efforts of your own?
We just finished the Worthington Wells Wildlife Management Area project: a $850,000 project funded with more than $400,000 of local money. It was dedicated by the governor when we hosted the 2014 Governor's Pheasant Hunting Opener in Worthington. We just inked another land acquisition deal for 80 acres. This will be the 33rd Pheasants Forever public land acquisition in the chapter's history. We did 15 land deals in the first 22 years, and we have done 18 additional land purchases in the last 10 years since I became the chapter president. We have at least four other deals that are being pursued. Pheasant hunting in Nobles County is the very best that the state has to offer.
Any other state nonprofits or groups that you admire?
I am a member of the Minnesota Waterfowl Association, Ducks Unlimited, Round Lake Sportsman's Club, life member of Pheasants Forever, and an 18-year member and lead instructor of the firearms training staff in Worthington. Getting kids afield starts with firearm safety, and I think these folks do more than they get credit for. The high school trap league has exploded over the past five years, and this has also gone a long way to nurturing young people to enjoy a life in the outdoors.
What's a personal favorite trip or activity in Minnesota's outdoors or beyond?
I live in Worthington because that is where the pheasants are. I hunt most days and train labradors year-around. My favorite travel trip is taking my son Brandon, my son-in-law Mark Remme and his dad, Dave Remme, on an annual fishing trip to Upper Red Lake the first week of June every year. This is a highlight of my time outdoors. There is no better walleye fishery in North America than Upper Red Lake.
Bob Timmons • 612-673-7899