We’re excited to share the Mid Atlantic second quarter Habitat Spotlight. This handout showcases three regional projects spearheaded by local chapters. To learn more about any of the projects we encourage you to contact the chapter directly. Chapter contact information and all other regional news can be found on the Mid Atlantic page of the RGS & AWS website.
Until Friday May 24th, RGS members can support forest management and habitat improvement on the GW-Jeff National Forest. RGS will submit formal comments, but it’s very helpful for individuals to also submit comments supporting active forest management and prescribed fire to create diverse, quality habitat for grouse and other wildlife. Submit your comments here: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=64669 These are some of the points you can make in your comments: Current forest conditions don’t support healthy forests or abundant wildlife populations. The GW-Jeff needs to do forest management projects like this to help move stands toward the desired conditions as outlined in the Forest Plan. The North Zone Prescribed Fire...
Forest County, Pennsylvania After the USACE consulted with Ben Larson of RGS, on ways to improve wildlife habitat along Tionesta Creek. Ben suggested they regenerate patches of alder along Tionesta Creek to improve habitat for woodcock, grouse and other wildlife. Ben also suggested that they create a hunter access/wildlife viewing trail through the area. Joe VanOrd of the USACE contacted our chapter for assistance with cutting the alder patches and creating the trail. After a meeting between USACE staff and chapter members, we decide to set up 2 workdays in March and April of 2023. We had a good turnout for...
Dauphin, Lebanon & Schuykill Counties An ATV access trail was built to get contractors into an isolated portion of State Game Lands 211 to complete a noncommercial cutting project that will create young forest blocks. The 2.2 mile trail was completed in the summer of 2023 and opens up roughly 800 acres of mature forest that can now be managed as young forest blocks. Over the next 10 years 400 acres of cutting is planned to begin balancing the age class of this portion of game lands. This should create areas for grouse to disperse from other areas that have been...
Action Trackchairs for Wingshooters with Bird Dogs!Track2wing Project Applications Available All terrain access for wingshooters with bird dogs! RGS & AWS along with Pheasants Forever and the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, is helping spread the word about the Anisfield-Wilson Track2wing Project – a program to grant Action Trackchairs to individuals with mobility challenges who want to train and hunt with bird dogs. Applications are available now until March 31, 2024. Track2wing was founded in 2020. Since then, Track2wing has granted 39 Trackchairs to recipients all across the country. Applications are reviewed by a six-person committee. Those approved take...
The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS), American Bird Conservancy (ABC), Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and Audubon Mid-Atlantic (AMA) are excited to partner with Domtar to improve habitats through active forest management and pulpwood sourcing. The project will improve habitat for game and non-game wildlife, using an innovative approach that creates landowner income and jobs in rural Pennsylvania. A lack of critical habitat for birds and other wildlife has led to population declines of ruffed grouse (Pennsylvania’s state bird) and other imperiled forest birds. Specifically, a prevalence of closed-canopy, single-aged forests has resulted in too little...
