First published, June 9, 2023 – updated on May 30,2025.
Agreement Narrative: Collaboration to maintain, restore, and enhance forest conditions and wildlife habitat on the National Forests in North Carolina.
Primary Funder: USDA Forest Service
Location: Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina
Overview: The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) and the National Forests in North Carolina (NFsNC) have mutual interest in efforts to improve habitat and forest health across the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests. RGS & AWS and NFsNC will exchange personnel, funding and other resources, in matters relating to sustainable forest management, forest health and ecosystem restoration, the role of working forests for ruffed grouse and American woodcock management and conservation of associated habitat characteristics, and conservation education. This project is proposed on the Grandfather Ranger District (GRD) of the Pisgah National Forest and will enhance forest conditions and wildlife habitats in the Armstrong Creek area of western North Carolina.
Impact: The GRD has about 230 acres of implementable thinning units from the Armstrong Creek Project. RGS & AWS will collaborate with the GRD to implement over 100 acres of noncommercial habitat improvements through thinning and patch clearcut openings across these units, including helping plan, layout, and mark the treatment areas. RGS & AWS will perform the administration of contracts to implement the treatments on-the-ground.
Partners and Chapter Contributions: We will collaborate closely with the Pisgah National Forest and other partners in North Carolina on implementation. Contracts will be awarded to local and regional contractors. Funds from the Asheville NC RGS Chapter along with funds generated through the Orvis Great Giveback Days, will go towards direct contracting and the remainder will support our forester to oversee the treatment on the ground.
Project Prescription Summary: We are going to implement a non-commercial crop tree release to promote desirable species such as oak, hickory, and cherry to give them an advantage to become the dominant species. We are also going to create tiny clearcuts ranging from a 1/10 acre to ½ acre in size to create a more diverse and complex forests and prolong the young forest component. The crop tree release portion of the project has been completed.
