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Healthy Forests, Abundant Wildlife, Conservation Ethic

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ruffed grouse

RGS & AWS Address with Ben Jones and Sean Curran

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Answering more of your questions related to this week’s announcements of organizational re-structure and our model of working forests conservation.

RGS & AWS President and CEO Ben Jones is joined by RGS & AWS Vice President of Mission Sustainability Sean Curran to discuss recent news related to organizational staffing and conservation delivery programs.

The team at RGS & AWS is committed to answering your questions and providing our membership the most up to date information on the organization and the status of our mission.

A Conversation About RGS & AWS with Ron Boehme on The Hunting Dog Podcast

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Ben Jones joins Ron Boehme of The Hunting Dog Podcast to discuss a new model for forest conservation.

In a recently released episode of The Hunting Dog Podcast, RGS & AWS President and CEO joins host Ron Boehme to discuss recent news regarding an organizational restructure and a new model for forest conservation.

LISTEN on | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Libsyn

Topics of conversation include analysis of the newly announced Ruffed Grouse Society Model of Working Forests as well as answers to many of the questions members have been asking about the news.

You’re Asking, We’re Answering

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We have received many thoughtful comments and questions from our members over the past 12 hours. Much of the feedback has been positive, it has been apparent for most of us that RGS & AWS needs to go in new directions to thrive. I share the heartfelt sadness at losing these three biologists who have done so much good work with us. It is always difficult to let people go—it has always been my least favorite part of my professional work.

We truly appreciate the engagement. The following is a first round of Frequently Asked Questions. More to come…Keep the questions coming and we will keep the conversation going.

– Ben Jones

[Read more…] about You’re Asking, We’re Answering

The Ruffed Grouse Society Model of Working Forests

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UPDATED | Information Center

The below resources and links provide new and updated information regarding the RGS & AWS Model of Working Forests as well as organizational changes to staffing and conservation delivery programs.

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Creating a Scalable Model for Healthy Forest Management and Wildlife Habitat

When the RGS & AWS Board of Directors and I first met nearly two years ago, we focused on a central theme – the need to scale up forest conservation work. Great strides have been made over the Ruffed Grouse Society’s 60-year tenure and now, greater opportunity knocks. By scaling our successes, we can expand impact. To that end, we have been working towards a working forests model that can improve habitat across larger landscapes. Without a doubt, efficient and impactful conservation is more important now than ever!

[Read more…] about The Ruffed Grouse Society Model of Working Forests

Young Forest Initiative Creating Habitat for Grouse and Woodcock in New York – RGS

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Forest Management at Mongaup Valley WMA | Photo by: Gregory Cerne

Young Forest Initiative in New York Creates Habitat for Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock

Mongaup Valley Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is nestled against a part of the Delaware River that slithers between New York and Pennsylvania. In 2016, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) completed a project to create new wildlife habitat at Mongaup Valley as part of its Young Forest Initiative (YFI), an ongoing effort launched in 2015 to increase habitat within 93 WMAs for species dependent on early successional forests and whose populations are in steep decline.

[Read more…] about Young Forest Initiative Creating Habitat for Grouse and Woodcock in New York – RGS

Conservation is NOT Cancelled – RGS

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A message from RGS/AWS President and CEO, Ben Jones.

When facing human hardship, it can be difficult to remember that our own health is inseparable from the health of our natural world. Forests included! Even during good times, many folks don’t get it. But we do.

That is why our voices are so important during the days ahead. Conservation is not cancelled, my friends.

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RGS Supports Ruffed Grouse Symposium in Wisconsin Rapids – RGS

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Wood Yard – Wisconsin Rapids Paper Mill

Upper Great Lakes Ruffed Grouse Symposium 

On February 25, 2020, Wisconsin hosted an Upper Midwest Ruffed Grouse Symposium. This event was geared towards professional wildlife biologists, foresters, and researchers managing ruffed grouse in the Upper Midwest.

In total, 120 professionals from eight different states attended the symposium. The day was well rounded with talks on current research, management efforts, and planning. Discussions also focused on learning about factors impacting ruffed grouse such as disease, policy, forest product market trends and climate.

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West Virginia Ruffed Grouse Season Changes: Opportunity for Input

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The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking input on potential ruffed grouse season changes that could begin with the 2021-2022 season. There is little information available now to assess the proposals, but there are opportunities for providing public input. Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) staff are in contact with West Virginia DNR personnel and will provide our members with additional information as this develops.
 
Questionnaire and Written Comments
 
Input on these potential changes and a variety of other hunting, trapping, and fishing regulations may be provided through a questionnaire or submission of written comments by April 3, 2020. Instructions and forms for submitting the questionnaire and comments are available HERE. The bottom of page 6 contains questions regarding the ruffed grouse season.
 
Public Meetings
 
Public meetings will also be held March 16 and 17, 6:00-8:00 pm, at the locations noted below. Since little additional information has been made available at this time, we encourage members and supporters to attend the nearest meeting location and voice your concerns regarding:
– Additional information that would support each option for regulation changes
– The need for habitat creation and enhancement to more comprehensively benefit ruffed grouse 

Monday, March 16, 2020, 6:00-8:00 PM
– Fairmont – East Fairmont High School (Commons Area) *RGS Regional Biologist Linda Ordiway will attend
– Martinsburg – Martinsburg Holiday Inn (Route 81, Exit 13)
– Summersville – Nicholas County High School
– Milton – West Virginia Pumpkin Park (Office Building)
– Spencer – Heritage community Building
– Princeton – Chuck Methena Center (Stafford Commons)

Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 6:00-8:00 PM
– Glen Dale – John Marshall High School (Commons)
– Moorefield – South Branch Inn (Route 220)
– Fayetteville – New River Gorge Canyon Rim Visitors Center
– Logan – Chief Logan State Park Conference Center
– Parkersburg – Lubeck Volunteer Fire Department (Route 68 South)

2020-2021 WV Ruffed Grouse Season Questionnaire

Project Upland Podcast features RGS/AWS Staff – RGS

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The Project Upland Podcast recently featured Ben Jones, Brent Rudolph and RGS/AWS member, Forrest Gibeault.

On a recent episode of the Project Upland Podcast the guest list was decidedly RGS/AWS-centric. Featured guests included RGS/AWS President and CEO, Ben Jones, Director of Conservation Policy, Brent Rudolph and RGS/AWS Member Forrest Gibeault of Steigerwaldt Land Services, Inc.

Topics of conversation included healthy forest make-up and distribution along with the driving forces and dynamics of timber markets and wildlife habitat creation.

LISTEN | on ProjectUpland.com

On The Wing Podcast episode features Ben Jones – RGS

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Ben Jones speaks with Bob St. Pierre on an episode of On The Wing Podcast.

During a trip to National Pheasant Fest and Quail Classic, RGS/AWS President and CEO, Ben Jones joined Bob St. Pierre, along with Jim Inglis and Andy Edwards, all of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever for an episode of On The Wing Podcast.

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