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Healthy Forests, Abundant Wildlife, Conservation Ethic

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Western Great Lakes

From Storm Damage to Wildlife Habitat: Recovery Work Underway in Wisconsin

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When a devastating winter storm swept through northwestern Wisconsin in December 2022, it left behind a level of forest damage few had ever seen before. Dubbed the “Blue Blizzard” because of the heavy, moisture-laden snow that appeared blue in color, the storm caused widespread destruction across large portions of Douglas County. Trees snapped under the weight or bent permanently toward the ground, leaving thousands of acres of damaged forest that would never fully recover. The storm also blocked miles of forest roads and recreational trails, cutting off access for outdoor recreation, forest management and wildlife habitat work. Now, through a collaborative conservation...

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Featured Habitat Project – Wisconsin Forest Wildlife Specialist Program

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by Jon Steigerwaldt – Western Great Lakes Forest Conservation Director and Jared Elm – Wisconsin Conservation Coordinator This year marked eight years of our Forest Wildlife Specialist Private Lands Program in Wisconsin – a first of its kind partnership between RGS & AWS and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in the nation. With 58% of forestlands in Wisconsin in private ownership, private lands play an important role in landscape-scale habitat restoration, especially where they interface with public land ownership. According to Forest Inventory Analysis data collected by U.S. Forest Service over the past 120 years, the largest decline in young aspen,...

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RGS & AWS Adds Alyssa Roberts as Forest Wildlife Specialist in Minnesota

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Alyssa Roberts joins RGS & AWS as forest wildlife specialist, bringing extensive field experience in wildlife biology, forest habitat management and natural resources research across northern Minnesota. Roberts has built her career working directly in the field, with eight years of experience as a seasonal technician for the U.S. Forest Service on both the Chippewa National Forest and Superior National Forest, followed by two years in environmental consulting. Her work has focused on supporting forest stewardship, wildlife monitoring and science-based management practices that improve habitat for a wide range of species. Throughout her career, Roberts has collaborated with multiple conservation partners including...

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The Wisconsin Forestry Revitalization Act Officially Passes

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The Wisconsin Forestry Revitalization Act (SB 456) represents a major step forward for the state’s forest economy, creating new markets for low-value wood and strengthening the long-term health of Wisconsin’s working forests. Central to the legislation is support for a proposed woody biomass facility in Hayward that would convert forest material into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This initiative is expected to drive up to $1.5 billion in total investment across Northern Wisconsin’s forest products sector, supported by performance-based incentives of up to $120 million in tax credits to attract private capital and secure the project locally. Just as important as the economic...

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RGS & AWS Expands Into Iowa With First Forest Wildlife Specialist Hire

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RGS & AWS is excited to welcome Zach Nie as the new forest wildlife specialist for the Western Great Lakes region. Zach grew up in Iowa and earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry from Iowa State University. He previously worked for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources as a district forester, where he partnered with private forest landowners to promote active forest management that supports forest health and wildlife habitat. An avid outdoorsman, Zach enjoys hunting, hiking, sports and spending time with his family. He will be based at Volga River State Recreation Area near Fayette, Iowa, and will work closely with…

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Remembering Glen R. Blackwood: A True Conservation Champion

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With heavy hearts, we share the news that Glen Robert Blackwood, a beloved friend, colleague and devoted conservationist, passed away on Dec. 29, 2025, at age 62. Glen’s passing leaves a profound void in the hearts of all who knew him and in the broader conservation community he served so passionately. Glen joined the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society family in 2020 as a Regional Director and in 2021 transitioned to Director of Regional Development for Michigan, Illinois and Indiana, bringing with him not only decades of experience in the outdoors but an infectious enthusiasm for the natural world….

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