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Healthy Forests, Abundant Wildlife, Conservation Ethic

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Member Spotlight: Tom Mcpherson

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Upland Bird Hunt Chapter | Pennslyvania by Emily Sliski, RGS & AWS Engagement Coordinator – Mid-Atlantic Region Tom Mcpherson doesn’t simply dabble in grouse hunting and bird dogs – he throws himself into it wholeheartedly. For Tom, the uplands aren’t a pastime; they define his seasons, shapes who he is and serve as the foundation for his connections to the conservation community he’s helping to build. So how does an obsession with all things grouse hunting start? For Tom, it started with a fly-tying vice and the need for feathers. Born and raised in Butler, Pennsylvania, about an hour north of Pittsburgh, Tom...

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National Trails Day Celebrates Access, Conservation and Healthy Forests

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Each year on National Trails Day, outdoor enthusiasts head outside to enjoy the public lands that make America special. For hunters, bird dog owners, hikers and wildlife watchers, trails provide more than recreation. They create access to wildlife habitat, connect people with conservation and support the active forest management needed to sustain healthy working forests. “At RGS & AWS, trails are an important part of our conservation mission. Hunter walking trails promote foot travel through high-quality grouse and woodcock habitat while providing access for habitat management projects that benefit wildlife and forest health. Road maintenance and sustainability are also essential components...

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RGS & AWS Joins Memorandum of Understanding Supporting Wildlife-Based Recreational Access

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The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society has joined the U.S. Forest Service, Boone and Crockett Club and fellow conservation organizations in supporting a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) focused on advancing public access, wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities across National Forest System lands. The agreement highlighted a shared commitment to sustaining and enhancing access for hunting, angling and other wildlife-based recreational activities while supporting habitat stewardship, conservation education and active forest management. Under the framework of the MOU, the Boone and Crockett Club will convene collaborating partners to identify, develop and implement opportunities that improve recreational access on public...

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RGS & AWS Joins Conservation Community in Calling for Passage of Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund Bill

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The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society has joined a broad coalition of conservation organizations urging Minnesota legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Walz to pass the Outdoor Heritage Fund appropriations bill before the legislative session adjourns on May 18. In a joint letter signed by leaders across Minnesota’s conservation community, organizations called on lawmakers to set aside ongoing governance disputes and advance the $191 million funding package that supports critical habitat and public access projects across the state. The proposed legislation would invest in land protection, wetland restoration, prairie and forest habitat, fish and wildlife habitat improvements and public outdoor access...

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From Storm Damage to Wildlife Habitat: Recovery Work Underway in Wisconsin

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When a devastating winter storm swept through northwestern Wisconsin in December 2022, it left behind a level of forest damage few had ever seen before. Dubbed the “Blue Blizzard” because of the heavy, moisture-laden snow that appeared blue in color, the storm caused widespread destruction across large portions of Douglas County. Trees snapped under the weight or bent permanently toward the ground, leaving thousands of acres of damaged forest that would never fully recover. The storm also blocked miles of forest roads and recreational trails, cutting off access for outdoor recreation, forest management and wildlife habitat work. Now, through a collaborative conservation...

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Featured Artist: Andy McRae

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“In Search of – Spring Grouse” Graphite pencil on Strathmore 300 Series paper stock (Inspiration taken from a photograph kindly provided by Cameron Rognan)“Last Flight Departing 17:42 – American Woodcock” Graphite pencil on Fabriano 1264 sketch paper Andy McRae’s passion for the outdoors began like many: during his early childhood, camping with his parents, the Boy Scouts, high school trips and exploring on his own. Even then, he brought along paper and pencils, drawing during those early years, honing his skill to get  where he is today. An artist at heart, McRae’s been drawing and painting since the late1960s. Being self-taught has...

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