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Healthy Forests, Abundant Wildlife, Conservation Ethic

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COVID-19 Impacts on Timber Markets and Forest Wildlife

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How COVID-19 Could Affect Grouse Habitat

It’s safe to say that 2020 has been a bit of a whirlwind and things haven’t gone as planned. With all the stay-at-home orders, shutdowns, and disruptions, you’re likely looking forward to the fall hunting season more than ever and getting back into the grouse woods to unwind a bit. Unfortunately, coronavirus and COVID-19 still have some potentially nasty consequences in store for timber markets and subsequently ruffed grouse, in the form of habitat impacts. Here’s how the two are surprisingly connected, and some potential ways that the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) could help.

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Forest Management is Not Deforestation

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Debunking the Myths of Deforestation

When an average person today sees images of a recent timber harvest, it’s quite possible they may have a negative reaction to it. Fueled by stories of “greedy timber companies” destroying vast swaths of rain-forests, many people start to associate any tree cutting with ruining the environment. But there are some very big differences between deforestation and scientifically-based forest management. Given the decline of young forest stands in North America and the effect that it is having on many wildlife species, we hope to clear up some of those misconceptions below.

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Public Input Opportunity | Minnesota’s Forest Management Guidelines

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Act now to help shape the future of Minnesota’s Forests

Link to Survey

The Minnesota Forest Resources Council’s (MFRC) Site-Level Committee on Minnesota’s Forest Management Guidelines (FMGs) is seeking public input on the development of comprehensive forest management guidelines.  The guidelines are a core mandate of the Minnesota’s Sustainable Forest Resources Act.

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Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society Applaud Senators Stabenow, Braun for New Bipartisan Bill to Help Family Forests

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The Rural Forests Markets Act will create revenue for family forests and sustain healthy forests and wildlife habitat

WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, and Natural Resources, introduced the bipartisan Rural Forests Markets Act to help small-scale, family foresters access new economic opportunities through climate solutions like carbon markets. 

“Big or small, our forests are an important part of the solution to the climate crisis,” said Ranking Member Stabenow. “For too long, environmental market opportunities have been out of reach for many family foresters due to high upfront costs. Our bipartisan bill is a win-win for forest owners and the environment.” 

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Appalachian Ruffed Grouse: Ecology and Management

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A synopsis and review of the book Appalachian Ruffed Grouse: Ecology and Management

The Appalachian ruffed grouse population is like a classic, small-market major league baseball team battling the Yankees or Red Sox; the odds are against them because of a disparity of resources. Unlike their kin of the North Woods, Appalachian grouse lack aspen trees for food and cover, which Gordon Gullion, a leading expert on grouse during his lifetime, considered their prime habitat. Nevertheless, ruffed grouse are adaptable birds that have thrived in Appalachia for thousands of years. 

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Mike Neiduski Hired as Director of Regional Development in Southeast

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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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Spotlight on a Corporate Partner | Federal Ammunition

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Federal Ammunition is one of the world’s largest ammunition manufacturers and a major sponsor of conservation organizations and youth shooting sports organizations. If you don’t know much about them, here’s an introduction.

Federal began humbly in 1922, when Charles L. Horn took control of a three-year-old fledgling ammunition manufacturer. Knowing he faced fierce competition from Winchester and Remington, he embarked on a novel strategy. Horn worked to get his products—which at the time consisted only of shotshells produced in a 9,000-square-foot factory—onto the shelves of barber shops, gas stations, and grocery stores. He also succeeded in establishing a contract to sell Federal Ammunition through two major department stores; Montgomery Ward & Co., and Sears. The strategy worked and helped the company grow. In 1941, Federal secured a contract worth $87 million from the U.S. government to build and operate the Twin City Ordnance Plant in Arden Hills, Minnesota, which was a critical contributor to military ammunition and other defense products production during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict. 

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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