The decline of young forest and early successional habitats throughout the Northeast US has been identified as a dire issue for decades. Wildlife that are highly dependent on diverse forest habitats in New York and New England have suffered severe population declines. Golden-winged warblers, ruffed grouse, American woodcock, snowshoe hare, whip-poor-will, and even moose are bellwethers of a much broader decline in forest habitat diversity.

To bring grouse, woodcock, and dozens of other species back from the brink, we need to increase forest habitat diversity through forest management.

The RGS/AWS model is founded on a “shifting mosaic” approach to restore forest health and improve habitat. Functionally, our priority is to implement wildlife-friendly, sustainable forestry across large compartments known as Dynamic Forest Restoration Blocks (DFRBs) that range from a few thousand acres up to large landscape level blocks. We will also work to support these conditions broadly across the Northeast region with our public and private land partners and supporters. Public wildlife management areas, state & federal forests, community forests, family ownerships, municipal watersheds, large scale timberland properties and land trust holdings can all play a pivotal role in this approach. Read the Northeast Conservation Plan Executive Summary.