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Mike Neiduski Hired as Director of Regional Development in Southeast

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Mike-Neiduski-RGS

The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) announced the hiring of Mike Neiduski as Director of Regional Development for the Southeast. In his role, Neiduski will direct business development and fundraising programs in Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia. Mike will also serve as interim director assisting with communications and online activities in the mid-Atlantic until that position is filled. These important regions (formerly combined) were overseen by Dave Hansroth until his retirement in early March. 

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Action Alert | Indiana Ruffed Grouse Need Your Help

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SUBMIT ONLINE COMMENTS HERE – Deadline July 30th

Ruffed grouse in Indiana need our help. With just a little effort, you could take an opportunity this week to speak up on their behalf.

Two Indiana Natural Resource Commission (NRC) public hearings will take place on July 29th and July 30th to address proposed fish and wildlife rule changes. These amendments include adding ruffed grouse to the list of state endangered species. We strongly urge speaking up in support of this listing, and have included some talking points and rationale below, reiterating the reasons for the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) long-term commitment to this cause.

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Position Opening | Communications and Marketing Director

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Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society Logo

Communications and Marketing Director

Region: National
Location: Flexible
Posting Open Date: July 24, 2020
Posting Close Date: August 24, 2020 (or until filled by an exceptional candidate)

RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY & AMERICAN WOODCOCK SOCIETY

We are seeking an outstanding individual to lead communication programs conveying the importance of forest and wildlife conservation and inspire participants, from grass roots volunteers to corporate sponsors, to engage in our conservation network. 

The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) is a national, non-profit group with a 60-year record of forest wildlife conservation. 

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Jon Steigerwaldt on Outdoors Radio with Dan Small

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Forest Conservation Director, Jon Steigerwaldt recently joined host Dan Small on Outdoors Radio to discuss paper mill closures in Wisconsin.

Topics covered include economic and supply chain impacts to the forests products industry. as well as downstream impacts to wildlife habitat within the mill regions.

The RGS & AWS segment begins at the 39 minute mark and be listened to here:

Listen | Outdoors Radio with Dan Small

2019 Annual Report | President’s Message

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The Ruffed Grouse Society holds a distinct reputation among conservation groups, and with that, a unique responsibility. I’m reminded of our duty every time an issue affecting forest wildlife comes up, and someone asks, “… what does RGS & AWS think?” We’re front-of-mind when it comes to forest wildlife among our agency, business and NGO partners.

[Read more…] about 2019 Annual Report | President’s Message

Influence Forest Management and Conservation Policy in Pennsylvania

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Our staff at Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) would like to inform hunters and conservationists of multiple upcoming opportunities to influence forest and wildlife conservation and management within the state of Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation have reached out to RGS & AWS to engage our members in these opportunities. We encourage you to provide input pertaining to the new Bureau of Forestry Strategic Plan, and consider whether you or other allies for conservation may be in a position to fill upcoming board vacancies. You can find additional details and opportunities to respond below.

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American Wildlife Conservation Partners Share Conservation Policy Recommendations in the Sixth Edition of Wildlife for the 21st Century

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July 15, 2020
For Immediate Release

Coraopolis, Pa. – The nation’s top 50 hunting conservation organizations today released their policy recommendations for the next White House Administration and the next two Congresses. The groups that participate in the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) developed Wildlife for the 21st Century: Volume VI to provide specific actions that could be taken to improve wildlife conservation and management. The 10 recommendations made by the AWCP focus on conservation funding, access and management of federal lands, habitat conservation in a changing climate, integrating wildlife goals into energy planning, private land and species conservation, wildlife disease management, and big game migration corridors. All of the recommendations encourage collaboration and cooperation between federal agencies, state fish and wildlife agencies, and private landowners.

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Grouse Camp 2020 | Visits Minnesota and Wisconsin

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Countdown to Grouse Camp 2020

Highlights from Grouse Camp 2019

History

Since 2015 RGS & AWS members have followed along with our annual Grouse Camp Tour. From the organization’s roots, in Monterey, Virginia, to the far northern covers of Maine, the Grouse Camp Tour has traveled the country celebrating our beloved hunted traditions alongside our devoted membership.

This fall, Grouse Camp returns to Wisconsin and establishes a second location in Minnesota. We invite you to join us for the second year in a row at our Grouse Camp Meet-ups in Eagle River, Wisconsin, September 25th – 27th and Breezy Point, Minnesota, October 2nd – 4th (MN EVENT CANCELLED).

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RGS & AWS Shares USFS Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan Revision Fact Sheet and Position Statements

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Act Now: Submit Comments Here

Numerous forest wildlife are at-risk in the southern Appalachians due to lack of forest diversity and an unnaturally single-aged forest (i.e., lacking very young and very old forest interspersed across the landscape). Many, including ruffed grouse and American woodcock, are listed as species of greatest conservation need in North Carolina’s State Wildlife Action Plan. Some are even considered species of concern at the federal level (golden-winged warbler and Appalachian cottontail). The conservation needs of these species center mainly on habitat restoration and management.

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RGS & AWS announces Forest Conservation Director to lead forest wildlife conservation efforts in the southern Appalachians.

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Nick Biemiller

With funding donated specifically for the purpose, the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) have moved forward with a new Forest Conservation Director position in the Southern Appalachian Region. The generous gift, from a donor who wished to remain anonymous, was placed in a restricted account late in 2019 as recruitment ensued. The Society announced today that Nick Biemiller was selected for the role from a highly qualified group of applicants. In the newly developed position, Biemiller will build and manage a network to achieve forest wildlife goals across several states. The region includes northern Georgia and South Carolina, western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, southwestern Virginia, and Kentucky.

“Having a dedicated person in the southern Appalachians has been a priority since my first day at RGS/AWS. Ruffed grouse are hanging on by a thread and we have to put our best foot forward. With his deep understanding of forestry and wildlife conservation, Nick is the right person for the job,” said Ben Jones, RGS/AWS President & CEO.

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