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National Trails Day Celebrates Access, Conservation and Healthy Forests

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Each year on National Trails Day, outdoor enthusiasts head outside to enjoy the public lands that make America special. For hunters, bird dog owners, hikers and wildlife watchers, trails provide more than recreation. They create access to wildlife habitat, connect people with conservation and support the active forest management needed to sustain healthy working forests. “At RGS & AWS, trails are an important part of our conservation mission. Hunter walking trails promote foot travel through high-quality grouse and woodcock habitat while providing access for habitat management projects that benefit wildlife and forest health. Road maintenance and sustainability are also essential components...

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RGS & AWS Joins Conservation Community in Calling for Passage of Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund Bill

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The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society has joined a broad coalition of conservation organizations urging Minnesota legislative leaders and Gov. Tim Walz to pass the Outdoor Heritage Fund appropriations bill before the legislative session adjourns on May 18. In a joint letter signed by leaders across Minnesota’s conservation community, organizations called on lawmakers to set aside ongoing governance disputes and advance the $191 million funding package that supports critical habitat and public access projects across the state. The proposed legislation would invest in land protection, wetland restoration, prairie and forest habitat, fish and wildlife habitat improvements and public outdoor access...

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From Storm Damage to Wildlife Habitat: Recovery Work Underway in Wisconsin

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When a devastating winter storm swept through northwestern Wisconsin in December 2022, it left behind a level of forest damage few had ever seen before. Dubbed the “Blue Blizzard” because of the heavy, moisture-laden snow that appeared blue in color, the storm caused widespread destruction across large portions of Douglas County. Trees snapped under the weight or bent permanently toward the ground, leaving thousands of acres of damaged forest that would never fully recover. The storm also blocked miles of forest roads and recreational trails, cutting off access for outdoor recreation, forest management and wildlife habitat work. Now, through a collaborative conservation...

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RGS & AWS Covers Magazine Honored with Multiple National Awards

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RGS & AWS is proud to announce that its quarterly membership publication, Covers magazine, received multiple national recognitions in 2025, earning top honors from the APEX Awards for Publication Excellence, the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers (AGLOW) and the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA). These awards highlight the continued excellence of Covers in delivering compelling conservation storytelling and high-quality outdoor journalism. At the 2025 APEX Awards for Publication Excellence, the Spring 2025 issue of Covers received a Grand Award, recognizing outstanding overall quality in editorial content, design and communication. The magazine also earned First Place in Publishing at the 2025 AGLOW Awards...

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RGS & AWS Announces Chief Conservation Officer and Vice President of Conservation

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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...

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Collaborative Project to Improve 100 Acres of Wildlife Habitat on North Carolina’s National Forests

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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...

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