RGS & AWS is proud to welcome two conservation leaders – filling new roles – whose knowledge, experience and vision will help usher in a new era of habitat impact. Mark Hatfield and Karl Malcolm join RGS & AWS as chief conservation officer (operations) and vice president of conservation, respectively. Together, they bring a combined 40+ years of fieldwork, program management and policy leadership to the team. Strategic Leadership to Match Strategic Growth This moment represents more than new titles, it’s a clear signal of the commitment RGS & AWS has to scaling forest wildlife conservation through sound systems, expanded partnerships and strong...
ruffed grouse society
Collaborative Project to Improve 100 Acres of Wildlife Habitat on North Carolina’s National Forests
First published, June 9, 2023 – updated on May 30,2025.Agreement Narrative: Collaboration to maintain, restore and enhance forest conditions and wildlife habitat on the National Forests in North Carolina. Primary Funder: USDA Forest Service Location: Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina Overview: The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) and the National Forests in North Carolina (NFsNC) have mutual interest in efforts to improve habitat and forest health across the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests. RGS & AWS and NFsNC will exchange personnel, funding and other resources, in matters relating to sustainable forest management, forest health and ecosystem restoration, the...
Wisconsin Habitat Restoration Project Update
RGS & AWS Drummer Funds assisted in financing a habitat restoration project in Brule, Wisconsin. The project was performed in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and implemented on Brule River State Forest property. The project aims to rejuvenate old alder stands by shearing areas of alder to create three age classes. This practice will improve the woodcock, ruffed grouse, golden-winged warblers, deer, bear and snowshoe hare habitat. A wood turtle protected nesting area was also added to the project to assist in the reproduction of this species, which is listed as threatened in Wisconsin. Learn more about the Eastern…
The Importance of the Harvest Information Program
Woodcock hunters should be aware of this essential certification. By Nathan Ratchford | Ducks Unlimited Conservation Communications Coordinator Woodcock season is nearly upon us. As you gear up for fall days in your favorite aspen covers, one of the most important and exciting steps is purchasing your hunting license. Whether you’re doing so online or at your local sporting goods store, there’s one crucial task for woodcock hunters: answering the Harvest Information Program (HIP) questions. What’s the purpose of these questions, and how do they contribute to migratory bird management? HIP is cooperatively managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and...
WI Coverts (Wisconsin)
Agreement Narrative: WI Coverts Primary Funder: Wisconsin Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) SFI Implementation Committee (SIC) Location: UW-Madison Kemp Natural Resources Station, Woodruff, Wisconsin Innovation:  The Wisconsin Coverts Project began in March 1994 with the funding of a 3-year proposal by the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS). Most recently, the project has been the recipient of (6) 2-year (2013-14, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2019-2020, 2022-23, 2024-2025) Wisconsin Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI®) Implementation Committee (SIC) grants which have included matching contributions from RGS & AWS as well as support from the Department of Forest & Wildlife Ecology at UW – Madison, University of...
WI NRCS Forest Wildlife Specialist Private Lands Program (Wisconsin)
Agreement Narrative: WI NRCS Forest Wildlife Specialist Private Lands Program Primary Funder: Natural Resources Conservation Service Location: Northern, Central, and Driftless Forest Priority Regions of WI Innovation: With 58% of forest lands in Wisconsin being privately owned, engaging private non-industrial forest landowners in active management as part of a broad conservation strategy is an absolute necessity. Gathered across ownerships in Wisconsin, Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA) data shows that over the past 40 years, the largest loss of young forest habitat in aspen, oak, and hardwood forests inhabited by ruffed grouse and American woodcock has happened on privately held forest lands. Forests on private...
