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Announcements

RGS & AWS Congratulate Randy Moore on Appointment as US Forest Service Chief

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The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) are pleased to congratulate Randy Moore on his appointment as Chief of the USDA Forest Service by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

Randy Moore brings over 40 years of conservation experience and leadership to the appointment. His Forest Service experience includes service in multiple regions, and assignments as acting associate deputy chief for the National Forest System and as national deputy Soils Program manager in Washington, D.C. Mr. Moore will also take a unique place in Forest Service history as the first African American to hold the role of Chief of the Forest Service.

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Wisconsin members: Your voice is needed!

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The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program in Wisconsin needs to be renewed and fully funded

Ruffed Grouse by Timothy C. Flanigan

Wisconsin’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program provides valuable funding to conserve wildlife habitat and natural areas, expand opportunities for outdoor recreation, and protect water quality and fisheries.

Over the past three decades, the Knowles-Nelson program has invested more than $825 million in nearly 7,000 projects across the state. Though diverse forms of outdoor recreation are supported by these projects that involve purchasing lands or easements and sustaining infrastructure, a program review  found 94% of lands purchased with Knowles-Nelson grants since 2007 are open to hunting.

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Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society partner with onX Hunt to support our mission for healthy forests and abundant wildlife

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CORAOPOLIS, Pa. (April 5, 2021) — The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society are excited to announce a new corporate partnership with onX Hunt. onX Hunt is a mapping app that enables users to know where they stand, and features multiple disturbance layers where grouse and woodcock thrive. The onX Hunt partnership will directly contribute to the RGS & AWS mission, supporting healthy forests, abundant wildlife, and conservation ethic in 2021. RGS & AWS will also work with onX to increase access and opportunity afield.

onx logo and rgsaws logo
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Ben Larson hired as Forest Conservation Director for RGS & AWS Mid-Atlantic Region

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Larson brings a wealth of experience to Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society

The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society announced today that Ben Larson has been hired as Forest Conservation Director for the Mid-Atlantic Region, which includes Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, parts of Virginia, New Jersey, and Delaware.

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Jon Steigerwaldt promoted to oversee forest conservation across Lakes States and Midwest

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RGS & AWS activity in Midwestern states will increase with Steigerwaldt’s expanded capacity

The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society announced today that Jon Steigerwaldt, Forest Conservation Director for the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest, will now oversee work in both the Lower and Upper Peninsula of Michigan in addition to Ohio and Indiana.

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Action Alert for Michigan

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Deadline set for Monday, March 8 to ensure Improved Aspen Management on the Manistee National Forest

The Huron-Manistee National Forests (HMNF) have seen a decline in aspen harvest over the past few decades. This has led to an imbalance in the age structure of aspen stands that negatively affects habitat critical for ruffed grouse, American woodcock, and other forest wildlife.

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Membership Special: Help us celebrate our 60th Anniversary!

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With support from Pyke Gear, we’re offering a special deal when you join or renew at the $60 Conservation Membership level or above.*

We are celebrating 60 years of conservation success (1961 – 2021) at Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society!

Join or renew your Conservation, Advocate, Uplander, and Centurion Membership level and you’ll receive a Pyke Gear gift coupon, 60th Anniversary tee & neck gator, AND the annual subscription to Covers Magazine. A 60th Anniversary decal and the RGS & AWS patch are also included.

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RGS & AWS Northeast Forest Conservation Update: Part 1

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A primer for those curious about ecological issues impacting the Northeastern Region of the U.S.

By Todd Waldron, Northeast Forest Conservation Director

Photo by Todd Waldron

February 22, 2021 – If you and your dog have been covering countless miles through New England’s autumn woods and have only been flushing a fraction of the birds that you used to see – there is a reason for it.

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Timber Management in the George Washington and Thomas Jefferson National Forest

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The need for increased commercial timber harvest is at an all-time high. The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) were encouraged to see a recent highlight addressing this critical issue for providing diverse, healthy forest habitat for abundant wildlife.

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Working Lands for Wildlife: In Pursuit of the Shifting Mosaic

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Join RGS & AWS for this forestry-focused virtual event on February 25 , 2021 from 10:30 am – 1:30 pm.

Register today for a unique opportunity to explore and discuss working lands conservation. This FREE webinar will educate landowners and natural resource professionals on working lands conservation programs intended to benefit wildlife species and promote forest diversity.

This webinar has been approved for 2.5 Category 1 CEU’s by the Society of American Foresters; please register to receive credit.

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