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Benjamin C. Jones

Put Me In – Summer 2021 President’s Message

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President’s message from Ben Jones, RGS & AWS President & CEO – originally printed in Summer 2021 issue of Covers Magazine

As I write this, it’s mid-April, the sun is out, but it’s damp and chilly. That has me reminiscing about heading to the Pittsburgh Pirates opener at Three Rivers Stadium every year with my dad: The emerald green field as we emerged from the concourse, the smack of the ball hitting gloves during warmups and the cutting chill posed by the spring air and all that concrete in the old stadium. I still love baseball, although my own playing time was cut short with the realization that it impeded on trout fishing and spring turkey hunting.

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Conservation is Not Cancelled – Fall Membership Promotion

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Photo By | Timothy Flanigan

Fall Membership Promotion Extended | Join/Renew Today.

Dear Conservationists,

As a grassroots member-based organization working to impact as many acres of healthy forest habitat possible, we cannot further our mission without you.

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RGS & AWS Communications

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As we strive to increase RGS & AWS’ conservation impact, there has been a recurring theme: we need to communicate better among our entire network – members, chapter leaders, staff, and the national leadership team. 

I hear you and whole-heartedly agree! As a result, our team just completed a national Communications and Marketing Director search. Despite financial challenges of the pandemic, this is a position we simply could not afford to leave vacant.

The caliber of candidates was incredible and we would have been fortunate to have any one of them join us. Following many great discussions, we are thrilled to announce that Ashley Peters will be leading our communications programs beginning Monday, September 28. Her first order of business will be improving the connection with you all, the supporters and chapters who are the backbone of this organization.

Ashley comes to us from Audubon’s Upper Mississippi Flyway Initiative where she managed communications, policy, and engagement for a regional office that oversaw 30,000 members, 25 chapters, and dozens of partners. Her experience keeping members of a nonprofit well-informed is among the many reasons she rose to the top as a candidate. Not to mention her passion as a hunter and a conservationist.

With Ashley on board, we will have greater capacity to push towards these key goals:

  • ︎Better communication among staff, leaders, members, and partners
  • Communication to mass audiences about forest management for wildlife
  • Storytelling that invites all conservationists and hunters to the table

Please join us in welcoming our new communications and marketing director Ashley Peters and, as always, thank you for your dedication to healthy forests, abundant wildlife and our conservation ethic.

Ben Jones

President and CEO
Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society

2019 Annual Report | President’s Message

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The Ruffed Grouse Society holds a distinct reputation among conservation groups, and with that, a unique responsibility. I’m reminded of our duty every time an issue affecting forest wildlife comes up, and someone asks, “… what does RGS & AWS think?” We’re front-of-mind when it comes to forest wildlife among our agency, business and NGO partners.

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You’re Asking, We’re Answering

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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

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The Ruffed Grouse Society Model of Working Forests

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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.

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!

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Conservation is NOT Cancelled – RGS

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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.

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

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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.

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Giving Tuesday | Join The Movement

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Make a Giving Tuesday donation today.

Over the years, the American Woodcock Society (AWS) has supported ground-breaking research into this fascinating bird, the American woodcock. First, a migration study in the Central Flyway revealing key nesting grounds, migratory paths, and wintering locations. Now, a similar study in the Eastern Flyway. In 2017 AWS sponsored the 11th American Woodcock Symposium, highlighting work from the world’s leading researchers.

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Ben Jones Addresses West Nile Virus Testing in Ruffed Grouse – RGS

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Grouse enthusiasts are abuzz this week with hunting seasons in full swing and recent press releases from key states. Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan shared 2018 West Nile Virus testing results after an unexpected laboratory delay (details can be found here).

I read the reports, completed phone interviews with reporters and braced myself. When West Nile Virus appears in the news, it can even eclipse dog breed and shotgun choice “discussions” in level of interest and disagreement. Justifiably so. The appearance of a new disease threatening our beloved ruffed grouse is reason for concern.

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