by Kristen A. Schmitt
Most grouse hunters remember their first bird. For Julie Sandstrom, it was near Squaw Lake in the Chippewa National Forest. For Brian Smith, a lucky mid-air strike in the Pennsylvania woods. And, for David Moore, a father-son hunting trip in Traverse City, Michigan. For all three, that first bird sparked a lifelong passion for the pursuit as well as the resource, resulting in a pivotal triumvirate of leadership that has brought the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society through turbulent times with positive outcomes.
To build lasting legacy in an organization fundamental to the health and prosperity of grouse and woodcock, passing the torch to the right person is just as important as conserving the resource in the first place. Fortunately, RGS & AWS has been able to do just that. Moore chaired the board prior to Smith who passed the reins to Sandstrom, who became board chair in late 2023.
“We all care incredibly about grouse and woodcock,” said Smith. “We’re all really committed to making an impact for the good of the birds, even if that means having to make hard decisions.”
From Field to Forest: The Switch to Sustainable Forest Management
During Moore’s tenure, he brought his leadership experience to the boardroom along with an understanding of nonprofit management specifically within the outdoor realm, having been a champion of forest and wildlife conservation for decades. It was Moore who made the concentrated shift within RGS & AWS’s mission to focus on sustainable forest management to establish more grouse and woodcock habitat while also promoting forest diversity to optimize carbon stewardship and conserve wildlife.
“It was dynamic forest restoration,” said Moore. “Breeding young forests in at the edges of mature forests and creating that balance that wildlife requires and nature provided before humans came into play.”
He was also paramount in hiring Ben Jones, who came on board in 2018, as president and CEO. Moore marveled at Jones’s ability to make such a lasting impact so early into taking the role.
“To go from $300,000 to $20 million in direct habitat funding in just four years has been remarkable,” said Moore, acknowledging an additional $20 million of potential matching funds.
Scaling up Partnerships, Strategy and Habitat
Smith recalls a dinner Moore hosted that spearheaded the collaboration between Jones, RGS & AWS and 45 other conservation groups that included non-hunting organizations like The Nature Conservancy and American Bird Conservancy. Fostering these relationships has propelled RGS & AWS in growth and support, adding hundreds of thousands of acres of grouse and woodcock habitat that span from the East Coast to the Midwest and down into the Southern Appalachians.
Prior to Smith’s appointment to board chair (directly following Moore), he served as board treasurer, using his financial and business background to iron out several compliance issues and write a new Articles of Incorporation that was immediately adapted. “Having David’s support through his vision for RGS & AWS, along with Brian’s business and financial insights created a great environment for me to take the next steps in the storied history of RGS & AWS,” noted Ben Jones, President & CEO during their terms.
Smith, an avid outdoorsman and longtime grouse hunter, knew the focus needed to change when he realized that the grouse he used to hunt an hour from his house were no longer present. In fact, they weren’t present anywhere near him at all anymore. When Moore and the board at large selected Smith to succeed him as board chair, Smith immediately stepped up to the plate, supporting Ben on a new strategic plan that rolled out during the pandemic.
“We were missing the boat because we weren’t reacting to what we needed to do,” said Smith. “What we needed to do was figure out how to make a large-scale, landscape change. And the only way we could do that was to grow – and to grow financially.”
The strategic plan focused on advancing the mission of RGS & AWS: To improve wildlife habitat and forest health for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and all forest wildlife through sustainable forest management – and to do it at a scale large enough to make an impact.
“Our overall goal was to create more habitat,” said Smith. “Our belief is if you provide more habitat, then the birds will come.”
Growing the Resource for Future Generations
Sandstrom, who was instated as board chair in October of 2023, credits her father for teaching her about the importance of conservation and habitat management, working alongside him on family property next to the Chippewa National Forest. For her, it’s all about leaving a legacy for the next generation.
“What is going to happen in the future if we don’t keep our forests healthy?” asked Sandstrom. “If we don’t complete the necessary conservation to improve all this habitat for wildlife?”
As board chair, she’s aware of the need for continued growth and outreach within the organization and is excited to keep the momentum going with a focus on introducing more youth and women to upland hunting. Sandstrom was introduced to grouse hunting at a young age because of her love of dogs, specifically her father’s English setters, which she’s been breeding for years. “Even though I loved the dogs first, I think it’s important to share with new members that you don’t need a dog to be a grouse hunter by any stretch of the imagination.”
Sandstrom is channeling her excitement and passion for the dogs, birds and the resource into her role.
“What we’re doing right now is exciting and important,” said Sandstrom. “I’m thrilled to be able to continue that, but also absolutely honored to be trusted by the rest of our board to take the reins and keep us moving forward.”
Smith couldn’t agree more, which is why he advocated for Sandstrom as his successor.
“Julie has all the skills,” said Smith. “She ran the National Grouse & Woodcock Hunt for years. She’s incredibly knowledgeable and she’s a good business person.”
Moore believes Sandstrom is the perfect leader to drive their dynamic forest management beyond federal lands, making it a desired practice for private landowners.
“She’ll be very cognizant of the pieces that go beyond the physical habitat work by our wildlife foresters,” said Moore. “We’re having great success on national forests, state lands and in working with private landowners, like Julie. And I think she’s going to be a great conduit for that and is already a great example of how private land can, and should, be managed for habitat.”
“What ruffed grouse need are constant support and clarity of vision as well as the continued growth of habitat development,” continued Moore. “Julie is a true believer, and I think we’ll get there.”
To date, RGS & AWS has hundreds of thousands of acres under dynamic forest management with plans to keep building into the future.
“For an organization to thrive, the CEO and board chair must work hand-in-hand like copilots on a ship,” said Jones. “It’s been a highlight of my professional career to develop such wonderful relationships with these passionate individuals. Their strengths and diversity as leaders has made the experience all the more enriching.”
“Julie has such a storied history with RGS & AWS, having been attending events since she was a teenager,” continued Jones, “She’s the real deal and I’m looking forward to further building our co-pilot relationship. It means everything for forest habitat, wildlife and the opportunities we get to share in their pursuit.”
