fbpx

RGS

Healthy Forests, Abundant Wildlife, Conservation Ethic

You are here: Home / Archives for forest management

forest management

Tackling Ruffed Grouse Habitat in Southern Appalachia

by

grouse-habitat

Checking in on Southern Appalachia’s Grouse Habitat Projects

Steeped in history and rich with grouse hunting culture, the Southern Appalachian Mountains have long been associated with ruffed grouse habitat. Landowners and hunters in this area may fondly recall hunting ruffed grouse in the area many years ago, but have noticed their growing absence and watched prime grouse habitat disappear. This has spurred a real sense of urgency for Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) and its members in this region. In this article, we caught up with Nick Biemiller, Forest Conservation Director for the Southern Appalachian region (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, and VA) to discuss what’s going on in this neck of the grouse woods.

[Read more…] about Tackling Ruffed Grouse Habitat in Southern Appalachia

Gordon Gullion: Sage of the Ruffed Grouse

by

Gordon Gullion played an integral role in the study of ruffed grouse as well as the history of the Ruffed Grouse Society.

People tend to take scientific discoveries for granted. There are laws of gravity, for example, that govern our world, but we don’t often think about Isaac Newton when we go about our day. When hunting ruffed grouse and scanning for the aspen trees they use as cover and sources of food in portions of their range, we’re probably not thinking of Gordon Gullion, the conservation scientist whose studies and observations enhanced our understanding of ruffed grouse and formally linked the bird’s welfare to aspen trees. Gullion’s research still has a major influence on the forest management practices the Ruffed Grouse Society promotes to benefit the bird and other species.  His untimely death at age 67 denied us the authoritative synthesis of his research, but his findings are immortal.

[Read more…] about Gordon Gullion: Sage of the Ruffed Grouse

Chris Dorsey Highlights RGS & AWS in Forbes Article and Sporting Classics Podcast

by

RGS & AWS President and CEO Ben Jones talks healthy forests and abundant wildlife with Sporting Classics’ Chris Dorsey.

During a recent trip to Wisconsin, RGS & AWS President and CEO Ben Jones met with Chris Dorsey of Sporting Classics. The time spent together and conversation between the two ultimately led to the RGS & AWS mission being featured on two widely distributed media channels.

An article featured on Forbes.com outlines the issues and threats facing our forests and wildlife. And the conversation continues via the latest episode of the Sporting Classics Podcast.

Read | One Conservation Organization Warns Aging Forests Could Spell Doom For Many Species

Listen On | Apple | Spotify | Anchor | Google

America’s Forests Features RGS’ Jon Stegerwaldt

by

National TV program America’s Forests with Chuck Leavell features RGS & AWS Forest Conservation Director Jon Steigerwaldt.

The segment featuring Jon Stegerwaldt and ruffed grouse begins at 11 mins and 55 seconds.

About The Show | “National TV program America’s Forests with Chuck Leavell travels to Wisconsin in the latest episodes of the multi-part series. In this two-part special, Leavell explores the forests of Wisconsin, fittingly on a Harley Davidson. Part one finds Leavell exploring Wisconsin’s Northwoods, taking viewers on a journey through Minocqua and Paul Bunyan country, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest alongside US Forest Service Job Corps members, Tomahawk for an up-close look at ruffed grouse, and the Menominee Tribal land for a lesson in sustainable forestry practiced for thousands of years.”

Modern Carnivore Podcast Features RGS & AWS

by

Join Mark Norquist, host of the Modern Carnivore Podcast, for an interview with RGS & AWS President and CEO, Ben Jones.

LISTEN | Modern Carnivore Podcast – Episode #15

About The Episode | Modern Carnivore

“Just days before the pandemic required our country to close down I was able to sit down with Ben Jones who is the President and CEO of two hunting conservation organizations: The Ruffed Grouse Society and the American Woodcock Society. We were at Pheasant Fest which is the annual meeting of the organization Pheasants Forever, and great conservation partner of both Ben’s organizations and Modern Carnivore. We talk about forest health and how proper management can help replicate natural disturbances that have been eliminated as the human population continues to expand across our continent.”

COVID-19 Impacts on Timber Markets and Forest Wildlife

by

forest-markets

How COVID-19 Could Affect Grouse Habitat

It’s safe to say that 2020 has been a bit of a whirlwind and things haven’t gone as planned. With all the stay-at-home orders, shutdowns, and disruptions, you’re likely looking forward to the fall hunting season more than ever and getting back into the grouse woods to unwind a bit. Unfortunately, coronavirus and COVID-19 still have some potentially nasty consequences in store for timber markets and subsequently ruffed grouse, in the form of habitat impacts. Here’s how the two are surprisingly connected, and some potential ways that the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) could help.

[Read more…] about COVID-19 Impacts on Timber Markets and Forest Wildlife

Forest Management is Not Deforestation

by

deforestation-is-not-forest-management

Debunking the Myths of Deforestation

When an average person today sees images of a recent timber harvest, it’s quite possible they may have a negative reaction to it. Fueled by stories of “greedy timber companies” destroying vast swaths of rain-forests, many people start to associate any tree cutting with ruining the environment. But there are some very big differences between deforestation and scientifically-based forest management. Given the decline of young forest stands in North America and the effect that it is having on many wildlife species, we hope to clear up some of those misconceptions below.

[Read more…] about Forest Management is Not Deforestation

Public Input Opportunity | Minnesota’s Forest Management Guidelines

by

Act now to help shape the future of Minnesota’s Forests

Link to Survey

The Minnesota Forest Resources Council’s (MFRC) Site-Level Committee on Minnesota’s Forest Management Guidelines (FMGs) is seeking public input on the development of comprehensive forest management guidelines.  The guidelines are a core mandate of the Minnesota’s Sustainable Forest Resources Act.

[Read more…] about Public Input Opportunity | Minnesota’s Forest Management Guidelines

Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society Applaud Senators Stabenow, Braun for New Bipartisan Bill to Help Family Forests

by

The Rural Forests Markets Act will create revenue for family forests and sustain healthy forests and wildlife habitat

WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, and Natural Resources, introduced the bipartisan Rural Forests Markets Act to help small-scale, family foresters access new economic opportunities through climate solutions like carbon markets. 

“Big or small, our forests are an important part of the solution to the climate crisis,” said Ranking Member Stabenow. “For too long, environmental market opportunities have been out of reach for many family foresters due to high upfront costs. Our bipartisan bill is a win-win for forest owners and the environment.” 

[Read more…] about Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society Applaud Senators Stabenow, Braun for New Bipartisan Bill to Help Family Forests

Appalachian Ruffed Grouse: Ecology and Management

by

A synopsis and review of the book Appalachian Ruffed Grouse: Ecology and Management

The Appalachian ruffed grouse population is like a classic, small-market major league baseball team battling the Yankees or Red Sox; the odds are against them because of a disparity of resources. Unlike their kin of the North Woods, Appalachian grouse lack aspen trees for food and cover, which Gordon Gullion, a leading expert on grouse during his lifetime, considered their prime habitat. Nevertheless, ruffed grouse are adaptable birds that have thrived in Appalachia for thousands of years. 

[Read more…] about Appalachian Ruffed Grouse: Ecology and Management