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Healthy Forests, Abundant Wildlife, Conservation Ethic

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Mid-Atlantic

RGS & AWS Welcomes Luvara as Mid-Atlantic Engagement Coordinator

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Gabe Luvara has accepted the position of engagement coordinator for RGS & AWS in the Mid-Atlantic region. Luvara brings a lifelong passion for the outdoors and conservation to his role. Growing up in West Virginia with rabbit dogs and the good fortune of an uncle who owned a large dairy farm, he developed an early love for upland hunting. He spent his youth chasing rabbits as well as the occasional ruffed grouse and bobwhite quail, and building a deep connection to wild places alongside his family. As an adult, Luvara transitioned into bird dog training and upland hunting, continuing to spend as...

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A Story of Succession – Restoring 43 Acres at Bald Eagle State Park in Pennsylvania

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Bald Eagle State Park’s 1,730-acre lake is a recreational oasis, nestled in the divide between the plateau and the ridge and valley regions of Pennsylvania. It’s a short drive off route 80, yet separated by a ridge that reduces the interstate noise. Although the lake is the central feature, the surrounding bottomlands holds one of our favorite little game birds, the American woodcock. The valley that’s currently occupied by the lake was once like most of the valleys in central Pennsylvania – farmland. The construction of the lake flooded most of the farms, but those on the high grounds remained above...

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Improving Woodcock and Quail Habitat on the Delmarva Peninsula and in Southern Maryland

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Developing new collaborations in the Atlantic Flyway  by Ben Larson, Mid-Atlantic Forest Conservation Director  During my time at RGS & AWS, I’ve focused on heavily forested parts of the Mid-Atlantic, including northern Pennsylvania, western Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. However, for the last year and a half, I’ve started to develop partnerships and projects in the partly forested parts of the region, particularly the Delmarva Peninsula (an abbreviation of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia) and southern Maryland (southeast of Washington, D.C.).  The reason is simple: for migrating woodcock, the Delmarva Peninsula and southern Maryland provide critical stopover habitats along the Atlantic Flyway. The American...

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Chapter Spotlight – Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapters

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by Emily Sliski, RGS & AWS Mid-Atlantic Engagement Coordinator What began as two chapters supporting the mission of RGS & AWS has become one incredibly impactful collaboration in southeastern Pennsylvania. The Charles E. Bechtel Chapter is a historic chapter within RGS & AWS. “The Bechtel Chapter was started to raise funds for RGS & AWS for the oldest volunteer-run fundraising banquet,” said John Cave, chapter president. “Our 47 years of being a chapter shows the dedication of the committee, the chapter founders and the many men and women who’ve made the chapter so special.” The South Mountain Chapter has experienced several waves of...

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New Eastern Ruffed Grouse Conservation Plan Aims to Restore Populations

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The Eastern Grouse Working Group (EGWG), a collective of state and provincial wildlife agency biologists, has developed a strategic plan to guide ruffed grouse recovery in the eastern half of their range. The newly released Eastern Ruffed Grouse Conservation Plan (ERGCP) 2025-2034 outlines critical actions for habitat restoration and conservation efforts over the next decade. While ruffed grouse are non-migratory, their survival depends on large-scale habitat restoration. Conservation success in one state or province alone is not enough to ensure the long-term stability of ruffed grouse populations across the region. A coordinated, multi-state effort will provide greater ecological, social and economic...

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West Virginia Grouse Survey Discontinued – New Opportunities to Contribute

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The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) recently discontinued their grouse-specific hunter survey due to limited participation. Although this was a difficult decision, the data was no longer providing valuable insights for wildlife management. However, hunters still have opportunities to support conservation efforts. WVDNR encourages hunters to participate in two ongoing surveys: the Bowhunter Survey and the Spring Gobbler Survey. These citizen science surveys collect essential data on wildlife, helping shape conservation strategies across West Virginia and the broader Southern Appalachians region. Even if you don’t hunt grouse, your observations as a bowhunter or turkey hunter can make a significant impact....

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