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Southern Appalachian Media

Save Tuckertown: Protecting Public Land and Wildlife Habitat in North Carolina

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A large swath of valuable wildlife habitat with a long history of public access is now at risk in North Carolina. Nearly 4,700 acres within the Yadkin River Game Lands, privately owned by Alcoa but historically open to the public through the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), have been listed for sale. For decades, these lands have provided public access for hunting, fishing and recreation while supporting high-quality wildlife habitat across the Yadkin River corridor. If sold for development, this landscape could be permanently closed to the public, fragmenting habitat and eliminating a rare conservation opportunity in one of North...

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RGS & AWS Supports Nantahala Mountains Project to Improve Wildlife Habitat and Forest Diversity

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The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) is excited to share that an important forest management project is underway on public land. The Nantahala Mountains Project on the Nantahala Ranger District will treat about 870 acres through commercial and noncommercial activities. These treatments include group selection, noncommercial midstory removal, noncommercial crown-touch release, clearcut and shelterwood harvests. Road maintenance will also be prioritized. RGS & AWS was heavily involved with this project throughout the public comment period and advocated for additional forest management activities. We are glad to see that the U.S. Forest Service retained the original scope...

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Hurricane Helene’s Impacts on Western North Carolina Forests

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Sara Cerv, Forest Conservation Director, Piedmont and Coastal Plain

Hurricane Helene left a profound and lasting impact on the forests of western North Carolina and surrounding areas, reshaping landscapes across both public and private lands. Preliminary assessments indicate approximately 200,000 acres of vegetation loss on the National Forests within the region, with an additional 600,000 acres of damage sustained across other land ownerships.

[Read more…] about Hurricane Helene’s Impacts on Western North Carolina Forests

The Future of Upland Conservation: Dr. Ben Jones on Gamebird University

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To listen to the full episode, visit apple podcasts here

Young forests, bird dogs and the future of upland conservation, this episode of Gamebird University has it all.

Hosts James Callicutt and Mark McConnell welcome Dr. Ben Jones, CEO of RGS & AWS, for a field-tested look at what it really takes to sustain ruffed grouse, American woodcock and the people who care for them.

From GPS tracking and habitat management to shifting public perception and the rise of bird-dog culture, this conversation cuts to the heart of young-forest conservation in the South and why it matters across the range.

Cherokee National Forest Timber Sale Adds Habitat Diversity

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by Zac Chandler | RGS & AWS Forest Wildlife Specialist – All-Lands Tennessee Forester Ruffed grouse populations in the Southern Appalachians are declining, mainly due to the loss of suitable habitat. As the bulk of Appalachian forests increase in age, this results in a drop in ruffed grouse numbers as they primarily depend upon early successional forests for much of the year. Ruffed grouse thrive in forests kept young and vigorous through repetitive, active forest management like prescribed fire and timber harvesting. These repeat disturbances create an abundance of woody and herbaceous diversity, maintaining critical food and cover resources necessary for supporting...

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Congratulations to Sara Cerv, RGS & AWS Forest Conservation Director, on receiving the North Carolina Society of American Foresters’ Young Forester Leadership Award!

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This prestigious recognition – reserved for forestry professionals under 40 – highlights “outstanding leadership by a young forestry professional in the development and promotion of an individual program or project or for a sustained leadership role benefiting the practice of forestry and the Society.” Sara has served as the APSAF Membership Chair for the past two years, earning this honor through innovative initiatives that strengthen connections between academic, public, and private sectors, advance sustainable forest management and directly support the APSAF’s mission. Her sustained leadership and hands‑on dedication exemplify the future of forestry – and we’re proud to see her...

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