The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently announced that the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society was awarded a State Wildlife Habitat Grant in the amount of $56,800.
The grant is for prescribed American woodcock habitat projects on four Michigan state game areas. This project was led by RGS & AWS Forest Conservation Director, Jon Steigerwaldt and volunteers John Paige and Travis Powers from the Robert J. Lytle Chapter of RGS, as well as help from Dr. Brent Rudolph.
The initial funding for this match grant came from various RGS chapters and private donations demonstrating the impact that RGS & AWS members have on conservation in the state.
This grant will impact 75 acres of woodcock habitat along the southern Michigan migration routes, focusing on clearing openings for spring singing and mating grounds as well as brush mulching and strip cuts. These projects will be completed in 2022. For further information pertaining to this project contact Jon Steigerwaldt, jons@ruffedgrousesociety.org.
Michigan serves as important breeding grounds for American woodcock and RGS & AWS support the Eastern Woodcock Migration Research Cooperative, which maps the movement of woodcock, including birds that arrive in Michigan. To learn more, visit the RGS & AWS website.
RGS & AWS is celebrating their 60th anniversary in 2021 and is the leading conservation voice for ruffed grouse and American woodcock.
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RGS & AWS unite conservationists to improve wildlife habitat and forest health. Since 1961, RGS has promoted forest stewardship for our forests, our wildlife, and our future. Our vision is to create landscapes of diverse, functioning forest ecosystems that provide homes for wildlife and opportunities for people to experience them. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @RuffedGrouseSociety.
Media contact: Ashley Peters, Director of Marketing and Communications, ashleyp[at]ruffedgrousesociety.org
