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You are here: Home / 2020 / Archives for March 2020

Archives for March 2020

A Conversation About RGS & AWS with Ron Boehme on The Hunting Dog Podcast

March 31, 2020 by Ruffed Grouse Society

Ben Jones joins Ron Boehme of The Hunting Dog Podcast to discuss a new model for forest conservation.

In a recently released episode of The Hunting Dog Podcast, RGS & AWS President and CEO joins host Ron Boehme to discuss recent news regarding an organizational restructure and a new model for forest conservation.

LISTEN on | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Libsyn

Topics of conversation include analysis of the newly announced Ruffed Grouse Society Model of Working Forests as well as answers to many of the questions members have been asking about the news.

Filed Under: Habitat, Listen, News Tagged With: american woodcock, American Woodcock Society, ruffed grouse, ruffed grouse society

You’re Asking, We’re Answering

March 31, 2020 by Benjamin C. Jones

We have received many thoughtful comments and questions from our members over the past 12 hours. Much of the feedback has been positive, it has been apparent for most of us that RGS & AWS needs to go in new directions to thrive. I share the heartfelt sadness at losing these three biologists who have done so much good work with us. It is always difficult to let people go—it has always been my least favorite part of my professional work.

We truly appreciate the engagement. The following is a first round of Frequently Asked Questions. More to come…Keep the questions coming and we will keep the conversation going.

– Ben Jones

[Read more…] about You’re Asking, We’re Answering

Filed Under: News, President's Message, Read Tagged With: american woodcock, American Woodcock Society, ruffed grouse, ruffed grouse society

The Ruffed Grouse Society Model of Working Forests

March 30, 2020 by Benjamin C. Jones

UPDATED | Information Center

The below resources and links provide new and updated information regarding the RGS & AWS Model of Working Forests as well as organizational changes to staffing and conservation delivery programs.

  • Special Edition Podcast | RGS & AWS Address
  • Press Release | RGS & AWS Announces Re-Structure
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • The Hunting Dog Podcast Interview with Ron Boehme
  • Upland Nation Interview with Scott Linden
ruffed-grouse-working-forests

Creating a Scalable Model for Healthy Forest Management and Wildlife Habitat

When the RGS & AWS Board of Directors and I first met nearly two years ago, we focused on a central theme – the need to scale up forest conservation work. Great strides have been made over the Ruffed Grouse Society’s 60-year tenure and now, greater opportunity knocks. By scaling our successes, we can expand impact. To that end, we have been working towards a working forests model that can improve habitat across larger landscapes. Without a doubt, efficient and impactful conservation is more important now than ever!

[Read more…] about The Ruffed Grouse Society Model of Working Forests

Filed Under: Habitat, News, Read Tagged With: american woodcock, American Woodcock Society, forest conservation, ruffed grouse, ruffed grouse society

Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society Announces Re-Structure

March 30, 2020 by Ruffed Grouse Society

Coraopolis, PA
For Immediate Release
March 30, 2020

The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) announced that the group is moving forward with a planned re-structure of its conservation delivery programs. The re-organization will replace the Regional Biologist job title with a new Forest Conservation Director position.

“We have been working on re-organization plans over the past 18 months,” said Ben Jones, RGS & AWS President and CEO. The change is among RGS & AWS efforts to increase engagement in forest management issues, and will result in the layoff of three biologists in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Eastern Great Lakes Regions. “While we know this is the right move, it is not easy to let folks go. These biologists have worked with great passion and dedication. We appreciate all they have done.”

[Read more…] about Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society Announces Re-Structure

Filed Under: News, President's Message, Read Tagged With: American Woodcock Society, forest conservation, habitat management, ruffed grouse society

Young Forest Initiative Creating Habitat for Grouse and Woodcock in New York – RGS

March 26, 2020 by Anthony Giattino

young-forest-initiative-Mongaup-Valley-WMA
Forest Management at Mongaup Valley WMA | Photo by: Gregory Cerne

Young Forest Initiative in New York Creates Habitat for Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock

Mongaup Valley Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is nestled against a part of the Delaware River that slithers between New York and Pennsylvania. In 2016, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) completed a project to create new wildlife habitat at Mongaup Valley as part of its Young Forest Initiative (YFI), an ongoing effort launched in 2015 to increase habitat within 93 WMAs for species dependent on early successional forests and whose populations are in steep decline.

[Read more…] about Young Forest Initiative Creating Habitat for Grouse and Woodcock in New York – RGS

Filed Under: Conservation Policy, Habitat, Read Tagged With: american woodcock, forest management, grouse habitat, New York public land, ruffed grouse, wildlife management

Conservation is NOT Cancelled – RGS

March 24, 2020 by Benjamin C. Jones

A message from RGS/AWS President and CEO, Ben Jones.

When facing human hardship, it can be difficult to remember that our own health is inseparable from the health of our natural world. Forests included! Even during good times, many folks don’t get it. But we do.

That is why our voices are so important during the days ahead. Conservation is not cancelled, my friends.

[Read more…] about Conservation is NOT Cancelled – RGS

Filed Under: News, President's Message Tagged With: american woodcock, American Woodcock Society, ruffed grouse, ruffed grouse society

RGS Supports Ruffed Grouse Symposium in Wisconsin Rapids – RGS

March 16, 2020 by Jon Steigerwaldt

ruffed-grouse-symposium-wisconsin-rapids
Wood Yard – Wisconsin Rapids Paper Mill

Upper Great Lakes Ruffed Grouse Symposium 

On February 25, 2020, Wisconsin hosted an Upper Midwest Ruffed Grouse Symposium. This event was geared towards professional wildlife biologists, foresters, and researchers managing ruffed grouse in the Upper Midwest.

In total, 120 professionals from eight different states attended the symposium. The day was well rounded with talks on current research, management efforts, and planning. Discussions also focused on learning about factors impacting ruffed grouse such as disease, policy, forest product market trends and climate.

[Read more…] about RGS Supports Ruffed Grouse Symposium in Wisconsin Rapids – RGS

Filed Under: Conservation Policy, Grouse Ecology, Habitat, Read, Wildlife Ecology Tagged With: conservation, habitat management, ruffed grouse, ruffed grouse society, Wisconsin

COVID-19 Update from RGS/AWS President and CEO Ben Jones

March 13, 2020 by Benjamin C. Jones

A brief update on COVID-19 and it’s implications to the RGS/AWS mission.

Fellow Conservationists,

As we enter our peak event season, we also enter a time of great uncertainty due to COVID-19. One where we may not be able to gather and enjoy each other’s company as we would like.

We are keeping a diligent eye on the COVID-19 situation so we can respond as information comes available. True to RGS/AWS tenets, we will act pragmatically, led by science and expert recommendations.

[Read more…] about COVID-19 Update from RGS/AWS President and CEO Ben Jones

Filed Under: News, President's Message, Read Tagged With: American Woodcock Society, conservation, COVID-19, ruffed grouse society

Take Action Now! Help Secure Conservation & Outdoor Recreation Funding: Support the Great American Outdoors Act

March 12, 2020 by Brent Rudolph

United States Capitol - The Great American Outdoors Act

The Great American Outdoors Act (S. 3422) was introduced this week by Senators Manchin (D-WV), Portman (R-OH), Warner (D-VA), Gardner (R-CO), Daines (R-MT), Heinrich (D-NM) and 50 other bipartisan cosponsors. The bill integrates the Land and Water Conservation Fund Permanent Funding Act (S. 1081 by Senators Manchin and Gardner) and the Restore Our Parks Act (S. 500 by Senators Portman and Warner), but with critical expansion to also address crumbling infrastructure on National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, and lands under the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Indian Education schools.

The legislation would provide full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), dedicating $900 million annually to a program that has helped conserve some of the most important lands in our nation for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. More than a year ago, the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS|AWS) celebrated Senate and House approval of the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (S. 47), which was then signed into law to include permanent reauthorization of LWCF. LWCF authorization had expired despite a 50-year track record of successfully conserving habitat and expanding recreational access. Permanent authorization was a big victory. However, even with permanent reauthorization, Congress has previously redirected approximately $22 billion of funds intended for LWCF implementation to instead pay for unrelated budget items. RGS|AWS staff, along with a coalition of our conservation and forest industry partners, has previously worked to increase individual year appropriations for LWCF and secured its future with permanent reauthorization. Now let’s score another win and secure annual, dedicated funding for the program!

With widespread infrastructure problems in the form of crumbling roads, trails, blinds, piers, campsites, parking lots, and boat ramps across public lands where millions of Americans hunt, fish, hike, and camp, expansion of S. 500 to address a broader public land base is also a significant accomplishment. The Restore Our Parks Act originally addressed only National Parks Service lands, but input from the hunting community has seen our needs considered in the Great American Outdoors Act. Your voices can help ensure Congress continues to see the nearly $10 billion the Great American Outdoors Act would dedicate to infrastructure maintenance on public lands over the next five years as an investment in your future ability to recreate and support conservation and local communities through your visits to these lands.

What You Can Do Find your Senators here, and track the list of S. 3422 cosponsors here. If your Senators are supportive, thank them for committing to this bipartisan effort. If they’ve not yet sponsored the bill, ask them to do so. You can reference our letter of support here. Add your own personal stories of how you’ve been affected by failing infrastructure, and simply how much it means to you that Congress supports conservation, recreation, and continued access to these priceless public lands. Placing a call to your local office can be more effective than writing an email, but any effort may help. Be firm but polite, thank them for their time, and assure them that these are top priorities that you will continue to track and follow up on accordingly

Filed Under: Action Alert, Conservation Policy, Read Tagged With: action alert, Congress, conservation, Great American Outdoors Act

Minnesota Forests | Success in Conservation and Habitat – RGS

March 5, 2020 by Ryan Lisson

woodcock-in-minnesota-forest

Take a look at the successful creation of habitat and conservation in Minnesota forests with the Ruffed Grouse Society and American woodcock Society

If you’re reading this post in the great state of Minnesota, it’s likely that you may have spent time grouse hunting in Minnesota forests. And if it also feels like Minnesota has it pretty good when it comes to grouse habitat and populations, you wouldn’t be wrong. In part, that’s due to your continued support of Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS). Our staff are involved in several important conservation programs to increase and improve habitat across Minnesota – not just for grouse and woodcock, but many other wildlife species too.

[Read more…] about Minnesota Forests | Success in Conservation and Habitat – RGS

Filed Under: Habitat, Hunting, Read Tagged With: American Woodcock Society, conservation, forest management, habitat, Minnesota, ruffed grouse society

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