Throughout the Eastern Great Lakes region, RGS & AWS chapters and volunteers bring the message and mission of conservation in the state of Michigan. One of the most vibrant is the committee and members of the Grand Rapids, Michigan, chapter.
The chapter’s committee is a blend of business professionals, both working and retired. Folks from the realms of finance, investments, insurance, engineering, construction, sales, technology and more, bring a wealth of experience and out-of-the-box thinking to not only committee meetings, but events as well.
The cornerstone of this committee’s success is that they gather monthly year-round (except October) for breakfast. Their 7 a.m. meetings are planned to keep the chapter’s events moving forward while allowing everyone to be back to their careers before 8:30 a.m. The importance of the monthly meetings is to keep the chapter’s events and do-outs top-of-mind every four weeks.
The diversity of this committee isn’t only professional, but also incorporates the interests closest to each committee member. While Troy Allen is the group’s leader, the others gravitate toward their personal interests. Kevin Crowley leads the chapter’s annual habitat day while Mark Altemann takes the lead on the two community woodcock walks held each spring. Rob DeVilbis and Brett Farley take the lead on the chapter’s needs regarding firearms and shoots. Ed Berry organizes the annual banquet facility and meals and Brandon Warner spearheads the group’s Birds and Brew with fellow committee members Treasurer Pat Droste, Bill Seniura and Andy Spigner stepping in throughout the year. This committee’s dedication is the epitome of the proverb, “Many hands make light work.”
Alongside this dedicated committee are past National Ruffed Grouse Society Board of Director members Gaylan Byker, Jim Jurries, Tracy Larsen and Dr. Bob Bates who’ve all been amongst the chapter’s roll. Their service, leadership and dedication to conservation sets the foundation for the chapter’s historical success both in fundraising and on-the-ground habitat work.
With all of this stated, the true strength of this chapter are the life sponsors, chapter sponsors, chapter members and donors who attend and support the chapter’s annual banquets, shoots and events. They deserve as much thanks and gratitude as the chapter’s committee for the longevity and successes of RGS & AWS in western Michigan – from dog training donations from C. Fox Kennels’ Tim Fox and butchered lamb from Twin Maple Farm’s Ryan and Jason Alberda to the perennial table sponsorship and support that Blake Krueger, Jeff Towner, Tim Hill and Jeff Shull – all contribute towards special evenings for young forest management.
The chapter begins the year with a youth day in January, funded by secondary events. They host 20 youths in a day of conservation, gun safety and pointing dogs. The next event is a Bird and Brew held in early March. This event brings the RGS & AWS community together for an evening of stories and conservation.
The chapter’s woodcock walks are hosted on consecutive Wednesday evenings in mid-April. Held at Luton Park, a county park in Kent County, the evening’s focus is on American woodcock and their spring migration and mating rituals. These outreach events are designed to introduce RGS & AWS to a broader range of attendees. In 2025, these walks were attended by more than 60 interested people. The birds began singing at twilight and all attendees witnessed the evenings’ sky dance.
Depending on when winter gives up her grip on western Michigan, the chapter’s next event is a habitat day on public lands in late April or early May. In the spring of 2025, the committee and volunteers enhanced the Haymarsh State Game Area near Big Rapids, Michigan. The morning’s planting went well with both fruit and sheltering trees planted. This event is also designed with outreach in mind, allowing the message of RGS & AWS to be expanded beyond the chapter’s current membership.
The next event on the calendar is a joint conservation event held with the Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited Chapter named the Cast-n-Blast, held in July. This event blends shooting sporting clays with a fly-casting obstacle course. The collaboration displays how conservation fundraising can be mutually beneficial with groups of similar, yet different, focuses. The money raises funds for both organizations’ youth events.
On the heels of the Cast-n-Blast comes the chapter’s annual banquet in August. Historically one of the largest events in the Eastern Great Lakes Region, this year’s event featured an impact report from Zach Evans, the forest conservation director for Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, and was emceed by Gabe Stone, regional engagement coordinator.
The highlights of the evening were all donated: a guided grouse and woodcock hunt donated by Gaylan Byker and Justin McGrail, a Berretta two-barrel set 20- and 28-gauge shotgun donated by Jim Jurries, the sponsor gun donated by Tom Carney and a lovely hand-crafted garden bench built by Ron Heatley from Bay City, Michigan.
At the core of this chapter’s story is leadership, sharing the effort, engagement, donors and, most of all, an understanding of young forest management for ruffed grouse and American woodcock – not just in autumn, but throughout the year. Thank you for your continued efforts!
Learn more about the Eastern Great Lakes region.
