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Healthy Forests, Abundant Wildlife, Conservation Ethic

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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!

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

RGS & AWS Shares USFS Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan Revision Fact Sheet and Position Statements

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Numerous forest wildlife are at-risk in the southern Appalachians due to lack of forest diversity and an unnaturally single-aged forest (i.e., lacking very young and very old forest interspersed across the landscape). Many, including ruffed grouse and American woodcock, are listed as species of greatest conservation need in North Carolina’s State Wildlife Action Plan. Some are even considered species of concern at the federal level (golden-winged warbler and Appalachian cottontail). The conservation needs of these species center mainly on habitat restoration and management.

[Read more…] about RGS & AWS Shares USFS Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan Revision Fact Sheet and Position Statements

Comparing Habitat: Ruffed Grouse, Woodcock, Cottontail Rabbits and Snowshoe Hare

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cottontail-rabbits-habitat

Exploring habitat for ruffed grouse and woodcock as it relates to cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hare.

There’s a lot of information online about the different habitat types that wild game species like ruffed grouse and cottontail rabbits use, which is definitely important to know for hunting or wildlife watching opportunities. But we don’t often talk about the similarities between them. Truth be told, there’s a lot of overlap between many wild game species, and that means effects to one habitat type can impact (for the better or worse) other species too. 

[Read more…] about Comparing Habitat: Ruffed Grouse, Woodcock, Cottontail Rabbits and Snowshoe Hare

Forestry Is Always Essential

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Co-Authored by Anthony Giattino and Jon Steigerwaldt

forestry

Exploring the Essential Nature of Forestry

Despite vacant streets in normally vibrant cities and traffic-free highways across the country, there exists a steady hum of essential labor; some things can’t be canceled. The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society is still advocating for healthy forests to promote the creation of habitat for species in danger of being crowded out of existence. In this difficult moment when forest industry products, like basic hygienic items, are in high demand, the RGS & AWS is actively working with partners in the critical industry of forestry to ensure that wildlife also have a voice during this crisis.   

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American Woodcock on the Jersey Shore – RGS

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American woodcock
Photo By | Tim Flanigan – NatureExposure.com

Borrowed Birds

American woodcock migration maps resemble an airline’s route map for the eastern United States; these birds love to move. Like an airplane, woodcock need proper places to land in every state they visit. The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) provides its local chapters with the resources and professional expertise needed to foster habitat for these migratory birds. Regional chapters, like the newly assembled Jersey Shore chapter of the AWS, provide local knowledge and connections needed on the ground. 

[Read more…] about American Woodcock on the Jersey Shore – RGS

RGS & AWS Featured on Gun Dog It Yourself Podcast

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Listen on: Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify

This month, the creators of the Gun Dog It Yourself (GDIY) podcast have chosen RGS & AWS as the featured organization for their GDIY Spotlight. At the end of May, ten percent of all Patreon proceeds provided to GDIY will go back to RGS & AWS.

To announce the spotlight and discuss RGS & AWS news and organizational updates, RGS & AWS President and CEO Ben Jones joined hosts Nick Adair and Adam Williams on the latest episode of the GDIY Podcast.

[Read more…] about RGS & AWS Featured on Gun Dog It Yourself Podcast

RGS & AWS announces Forest Conservation Director to lead forest wildlife conservation efforts in the southern Appalachians.

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Nick Biemiller

With funding donated specifically for the purpose, the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) have moved forward with a new Forest Conservation Director position in the Southern Appalachian Region. The generous gift, from a donor who wished to remain anonymous, was placed in a restricted account late in 2019 as recruitment ensued. The Society announced today that Nick Biemiller was selected for the role from a highly qualified group of applicants. In the newly developed position, Biemiller will build and manage a network to achieve forest wildlife goals across several states. The region includes northern Georgia and South Carolina, western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, southwestern Virginia, and Kentucky.

“Having a dedicated person in the southern Appalachians has been a priority since my first day at RGS/AWS. Ruffed grouse are hanging on by a thread and we have to put our best foot forward. With his deep understanding of forestry and wildlife conservation, Nick is the right person for the job,” said Ben Jones, RGS/AWS President & CEO.

[Read more…] about RGS & AWS announces Forest Conservation Director to lead forest wildlife conservation efforts in the southern Appalachians.

CZ-USA Extends Commitment to Ruffed Grouse Society

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CZ-USA extends commitment to forest wildlife conservation in partnership with Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society.

CORAOPOLIS, Pa. – The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society are proud to announce an extension of their corporate partnership with CZ-USA, an importer, manufacturer and distributor of shotguns. The partnership will directly fund the RGS & AWS mission efforts to expand forest wildlife habitat through working forests. In addition CZ-USA will play a key role in supporting membership growth along with hunter recruitment and retention efforts. 

[Read more…] about CZ-USA Extends Commitment to Ruffed Grouse Society

Dear Hunter Podcast features RGS & AWS CEO Ben Jones – RGS

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RGS & AWS President and CEO Ben Jones, joins the Dear Hunter Podcast to discuss the future of ruffed grouse.

About the episode:
“In this episode of the Dear Hunter Podcast, we’re joined by the President and CEO of the Ruffed Grouse Society, Dr. Ben Jones. We discuss the fragile future of the Ruffed Grouse, and what steps we can take to conserve the species and help improve its habitat. Ben also shares with us details about the Ruffed Grouse Society’s new Model of Working Forests, and how he envisions this new, big picture approach to conservation and habitat management will impact sustainable forest use, conservation, and habitat management.”

LISTEN | Ep. 18: The Fragile Future of the Ruffed Grouse with Dr. Ben Jones

Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society Continue Support for Eastern Woodcock Migration Study

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Animation provided by: Alex Fish, University of Maine

Studying woodcock migration with RGS & AWS funded GPS technology.

The Virginia Chapters of the Ruffed Grouse Society have provided the latest commitment of member support for an international collaborative research effort examining American Woodcock migration. The H.C. Edwards Chapter, the James River Chapter, and the Ruffed Grouse Society Virginia State Drummer Fund (SDF) provided support for purchasing three additional GPS transmitters for deployment by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF).

[Read more…] about Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society Continue Support for Eastern Woodcock Migration Study

RGS | AWS Kids’ Coloring Contest

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Get out those crayons, colored pencils and markers, renowned artist, Jay Dowd has partnered with RGS | AWS to bring you this one-of-a-kind Quarantine Coloring Contest.

How to participate:

Parents/guardians: Please print off this coloring sheet and then post completed pictures to IG/Facebook with the tag #RGS2020 or email back to kellen@ruffedgrousesociety.org.

Deadline to submit is Friday, May 1 at 5pm EST – top 25 go to second/final round vote via Facebook album and members will vote via “likes” on the images. Round 2 voting goes through May 11 – Top 3 winners announced May 22.

Rules:

One picture per contestant allowed to submit. Age cutoff: 13

Top 3 winners receive:

  • 1st place also receives Youth Lantern, Waterproof Anti-Impact 3W Flashlight and Youth Mountain Terrain Backpack
  • 2nd place also receives youth lantern, waterproof anti-impact 3W flashlight
  • 3rd place also receives youth lantern, waterproof anti-impact 3W flashlight