The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) is proud to announce the execution of the Francis Marion Restoration and Wildlife Enhancement Stewardship Agreement with the U.S. Forest Service. The five-year partnership represents a significant investment in active forest management and wildlife habitat restoration across the Francis Marion National Forest in coastal South Carolina.
The project will improve approximately 3,000 acres of overstocked loblolly and longleaf pine stands through commercial timber harvests, creating healthier and more resilient forests while generating important conservation benefits for a wide range of wildlife species. Under the stewardship agreement, revenue generated through the timber harvests will be reinvested directly back into the forest to support additional restoration work and fund a dedicated Forest Wildlife Specialist position responsible for overseeing harvest operations and coordinating non-commercial habitat improvement efforts.
The Forest Wildlife Specialist will work alongside U.S. Forest Service staff and conservation partners to implement restoration projects that improve the ecological integrity of the Francis Marion National Forest. Activities may include timber stand improvement, invasive species management, site preparation, wetland restoration, wildlife opening enhancement, and other habitat management practices designed to benefit forest wildlife and increase ecosystem resilience.
Public engagement will remain an important component of the partnership. The agreement includes one annual volunteer workday over the next five years, providing RGS & AWS members and local communities with opportunities to participate in timber stand improvement projects or wildlife habitat plantings alongside conservation professionals. These events will showcase the importance of active forest management while allowing volunteers to contribute directly to habitat restoration on public lands. Volunteer time will constitute a portion of the RGS & AWS value match to leverage significant federal investment in these conservation outcomes.
The Francis Marion National Forest supports an extraordinary diversity of wildlife. Through collaborative stewardship and science-based forest management, this agreement will improve habitat conditions for American woodcock, northern bobwhite, wild turkey, Bachman’s sparrow, pollinators, amphibians, reptiles, and countless other species that depend on healthy, actively managed forests.
The Francis Marion Restoration and Wildlife Enhancement Stewardship Agreement demonstrates the power of partnership to deliver meaningful conservation outcomes. RGS & AWS looks forward to sharing project updates and inviting members to participate in volunteer workdays as restoration efforts move forward over the next five years.
