by Todd Waldron, Forest Conservation Director, Northeast U.S., Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society
On a cool, rainy Saturday morning in late April, the spirit of healthy forests and quality habitat came to life in Central New York through a boots-on-the-ground project at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s (SUNY ESF) Heiberg Memorial Forest. Thirty-seven volunteers, including SUNY ESF students and faculty, along with Central New York RGS & AWS chapter members joined forces to plant 1,400 native trees and shrubs across a series of restoration plots. This was more than just a tree planting event; it was a moment of community, action and ecological renewal.
This year’s Central New York RGS & AWS Chapter annual Appleseed Habitat Project would not have been possible without strong partnerships and shared vision. It reflects what we at RGS & AWS believe is the future of conservation: collaborative, locally grounded and rooted in science and community values. Thanks to the generous support of the Central New York Community Foundation and the dedication of our partners at SUNY ESF and the Central New York RGS & AWS Chapter, the project marked a significant milestone in a broader effort to restore forest health and habitat diversity across a heavily altered landscape.
Building a Healthier Forest, One Tree at a Time
The habitat restoration efforts focused on enhancing habitat quality and forest resilience by replanting 1,000 native hardwood and conifer species like quaking aspen and balsam fir, along with 400 native wildlife shrubs to enhance and diversify habitat quality.
The planting site had recently undergone a thoughtfully planned and executed 18-acre sustainable timber harvest as part of a long-term forestry and habitat objective to regenerate the stand and establish a more natural, age-diverse forest structure. This aligns closely with the goals of both the New York State Wildlife Action Plan and SUNY ESF’s forest management strategy: to promote diverse, native forest types and improve habitat for species of greatest conservation need—including ruffed grouse and American woodcock.
Seedlings were protected with tubes, stakes and biodegradable mats to reduce deer browse pressure and support healthy root establishment. ESF faculty and the Forest Properties team, including Dr. Stephen Teale, were instrumental in preparing the site with contractor Jason Bush of Sky2Ground LLC, while our partner Kellen Murphy of Murphy Forest Management in Oneida, New York, guided volunteers through proper planting techniques.
The Central New York Chapter of RGS & AWS not only provided funding and volunteer support but also brought camaraderie and hospitality to the event—preparing a field-cooked lunch for volunteers after a hard day’s work. SUNY ESF students from multiple disciplines joined in, applying classroom knowledge in real-world conservation practice.
Special thanks to Central New York Community Foundation, who played a critical role by funding key aspects of the project—covering costs for seedlings, site prep, coordination and protective materials. Their investment in this initiative demonstrates the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, habitat conservation and community engagement across the region.
A Broader Vision: The Central New York Forest Block Partnership
This project is part of a larger, multi-year forest restoration and habitat initiative funded by Central New York Community Foundation’s Dr. Robert J. Vitkus Fund Grant and Central New York RGS & AWS Chapter’s Vitkus involving RGS & AWS, SUNY ESF and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Together, we’re working to improve forest health, habitat quality and age class diversity across more than 10,000 acres spanning Heiberg Forest, Morgan Hill State Forest, Kettle Bail State Forest and nearby private lands. This strategic partnership between RGS & AWS, SUNY ESF and New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) connects central New Yorkers to the outdoors by funding critical habitat improvement practices which promote a mosaic of diverse forest conditions, ages and culturally significant forest and native ecosystem benefits.
Dr. Robert J. Vitkus was a visionary and a passionate conservationist who was committed to expanding access to the outdoors and amplifying wildlife habitat and conservation efforts throughout central New York. Along with his broad support for conservation groups across the region, Dr. Vitkus was an active member and generous donor of RGS & AWS. Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) and American woodcock (Scolopax minor) are species that were vitally important to Dr. Vitkus, but both are currently facing alarming population declines and significant habitat challenges. This is due to several factors, including habitat diversity decline across central New York and beyond.
Beyond active forest management and additive stewardship activities like wildlife plantings, the initiative includes innovative conservation practices like slash wall construction to deter over browsing by deer, invasive species control, mast tree release and in future phases, potentially prescribed fire to promote regeneration and ecosystem function. Long-term habitat, forest health and community impacts include:
- Improved fish and wildlife habitat, including numerous Species of Greatest Conservation Need outlined in the New York State Wildlife Action Plan.
- Enhanced mitigation against invasive species, insect infestation and disease
- Leveraged community involvement and awareness through volunteer events and increased recreational opportunities.
- Improved functionality of forest ecosystems that are native to Central New York.
It’s a bold vision and one rooted in sound science, strong partnerships, and a deep commitment to Central New York’s forests and communities.
To learn more about our forest habitat initiatives in the Northeast, visit RuffedGrouseSociety.org/northeast-regional-page/.
