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Copper Country Habitat Restoration Project (Michigan)

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Agreement Narrative: Copper Country Habitat Restoration Project MOD01 Primary Funder: Ottawa National Forest  Location: Kenton Ranger District, Ottawa National Forest, Michigan Innovation: This cost-share agreement allows for the funding of an RGS-employed project coordinator who works with USFS staff to implement forest management projects on the Ottawa NF. This is mutually beneficial as it allows for RGS to implement on-the-ground habitat projects while assisting the often-understaffed Ottawa NF wildlife management division to implement goals outlined within the forest’s management plan.  2023 MOD Update: In 2023, working with the Ottawa NF, a Modification that added $262,622.83 in Great Lakes Restoration funding extended the employment of...

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Action Alert: Daniel Boone National Forest Ruffed Grouse Habitat Enhancement

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Increasing management and habitat improvement on the Daniel Boone National Forest is a key goal of RGS & AWS’ Southern Appalachian Region. To that end, RGS just submitted comments on a proposed project on the DBNF, called the Ruffed Grouse Habitat Enhancement Project.

Please take a few minutes and submit comments, too. We’ve added a template below with key habitat data you can use or copy into your own message.

It always helps to personalize your comments and make it clear why management and habitat matters to you personally. 

Please submit your comments on the Ruffed Grouse Habitat Enhancement project on the Daniel…

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Benelli Presents: Raising Habitat

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In partnership with the Ruffed Grouse Society. “Raising Habitat” follows Darin Melton as he hunts the legendary ruffed grouse through some beautiful cover. He talks about what makes them such a challenge – one minute you think you’ve got them figured out and the next they disappear like a ghost. But that one find that leads to a flush makes battling through miles of tough terrain totally worth it. If you’re an upland hunter, this film will get you itchin’ to get in the woods.

Minnesota and Wisconsin 2023 Drumming Report Results

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MINNESOTA REPORT WISCONSIN REPORT Minnesota and Wisconsin recently released their spring drumming survey results. Each year Minnesota and Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources coordinate spring drumming surveys of ruffed grouse to monitor population trends in their states. RGS & AWS Minnesota Forest Conservation Coordinator Scott Johnson provides the following observations: In Minnesota, statewide drumming numbers are trending upwards in recent years from an apparent 10-year population cycle low recorded in 2021. In Wisconsin, statewide drumming numbers appear to be in a declining phase since an apparent cycle high in 2020. Drumming surveys are primarily helpful for showing population trends over time. Drumming numbers aren’t necessarily a…

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RGS & AWS Awarded $180,000 to Launch New York and Vermont Forest Block Initiative 

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The National Fish & Wildlife Foundation’s New England Forests & Rivers Fund awarded the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) Northeast conservation team $180,000 to implement critical forest habitat work throughout the region. Known as the New York and Vermont Forest Block Initiative, the project will advance landscape-level forest habitat projects aimed at increasing habitat diversity across the St. Lawrence Valley of New York and the Champlain Valley of Vermont. The project will include: 2 large-scale dynamic forest restoration blocks in NY and VT with 4,000 acres under management 1,000 acres under improved forest management on surrounding private…

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Funding Opportunity for Northeast Wisconsin Landowners – Joint Chiefs Project

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by Stefan Nelson – RGS & AWS Forest Wildlife Specialist Private forest landowners within the Northeastern portion of Wisconsin now have an additional funding opportunity available under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to address conservation concerns. This additional EQIP fund pool is available to landowners within Oneida, Forest, Florence, Marinette, Oconto, Langlade and Shawano counties. Landowners still need to follow all normal eligibility and application procedures under EQIP for this project. Farm Bill grants provide funding for landowners to carry out the work or hire a contractor to do so. The chief of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Natural Resources…

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