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Success Stories

2024 Northern Ohio Chapter of The American Woodcock Society Tree Planting Project (Ohio)

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Agreement Narrative: 2024 Northern Ohio Chapter of The American Woodcock Society Tree Planting Project Primary Funder: National Wild Turkey Federation Location: Highlandtown Wildlife Area: Ohio DNR Innovation: This is a small grant that the Northern Ohio Chapter of The American Woodcock partnered with Ohio DNR and National Wild Turkey Federation on to conduct chapter led habitat improvement on the Highlandtown Wildlife Area that is managed by the OH DNR. It is a small $6,000 grant and will involve plant 200 apple and 100 pear trees into an existing American Chestnut grove at Highlandtown Wildlife Area. The OH DNR Division will mow approximately 2650...

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North Fork of Pound Prescribed Burn  (Virginia)

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Agreement Narrative: North Fork of Pound Prescribed Burn  Primary Funder: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Location: Clinch Ranger District, George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, Wise County, VA Innovation: The project provided funding to the Forest Service to complete a high-priority prescribed fire in the North Fork of Pound Special Area, covering over 5,000 acres. The burn was a second entry, and it accomplished its goal of maintaining the canopy gaps that were created during the prior burn and consuming ground fuels. This promotes early successional herbaceous and brushy species as well as fire-adapted tree species such as oaks and yellow pines. This project...

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Featured Habitat Project – Downeast Lakes Land Trust Woodcock Habitat Restoration Project

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by Todd Waldron | RGS & AWS Forest Conservation Director – Northeast

Did you know that, according to the Land Trust Alliance, there are 506 community-based and regionally active land trusts across the seven Northeast states? Land trusts are nonprofit organizations that permanently protect, steward and manage conservation properties. And while their focus and objectives can vary widely, there’s a great opportunity to engage key land trust partners interested in the ecosystem service benefits of forest habitat diversity and wildlife. A strategic priority for the Northeast Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society conservation team is to expand our partnerships with…

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Charting New Paths: Stage Set for Forest Management Across the U.S. Forest Service Eastern Region 

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In a major organizational milestone, RGS & AWS has reached an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service to start innovative stewardship projects in the Green Mountain, Allegheny, Superior and Chippewa national forests.  By Kristyn BradyPhoto by U.S. Forest Service, Eastern Region In September 2023, the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) entered into its latest agreement with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to support forest management and implement on-the-ground habitat improvements on nearly 6,000 acres across four iconic American national forests from Minnesota to Vermont.  This is to be celebrated, and not only as the next step in the…

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Conservation Organizations Partner with Domtar to Improve Forest Wildlife Habitat in Pennsylvania

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The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS), American Bird Conservancy (ABC), Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and Audubon Mid-Atlantic (AMA) are excited to partner with Domtar to improve habitats through active forest management and pulpwood sourcing. The project will improve habitat for game and non-game wildlife, using an innovative approach that creates landowner income and jobs in rural Pennsylvania.  A lack of critical habitat for birds and other wildlife has led to population declines of ruffed grouse (Pennsylvania’s state bird) and other imperiled forest birds. Specifically, a prevalence of closed-canopy, single-aged forests has resulted in too little…

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RGS & AWS Southern Appalachian Conservation Team Awarded $400,000 Agreement from USDA Forest Service

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The partner agreement will expand funding for RGS & AWS’ Forest Wildlife Specialist position in Virginia and enable RGS & AWS to hire two new seasonal Forest Wildlife Technicians to assist with field work. RGS & AWS staff will develop three active forest management project proposals on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, assess 90,000 acres of forestland, implement 3,000 acres of forest measurements, and complete one 35,000-acre watershed-scaled environmental assessment through the Forest Service’s National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process. In addition, RGS & AWS will provide a sub-award to contractors to complete NEPA writing and analysis for the…

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