As administration considers future of mature and old growth forests, RGS & AWS advances strategies for sustainable forestry, carbon stewardship, habitat conservation.
Pittsburgh, Pa. – As the U.S. Forest Service considers a proposal that would guide the management of old growth and mature forests on federal public lands, the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) remains closely engaged in advancing approaches for sustainable forest management that conserve wildlife, promote forest diversity and optimize carbon stewardship.
Released for public comment in late December, the USFS proposal responds to a 2022 executive order from President Biden that asked for a values-based review and assessment of national forests, including management strategies. During the past 18 months, RGS & AWS has worked with the Forest Service and the administration to reiterate the importance of science-based management of forest and wildlife resources and of diverse, functioning forest ecosystems that provide homes for wildlife and opportunities for people to experience them.
RGS & AWS President and CEO Ben Jones underscored the need for an approach that focuses on active management.
“Throughout development of this policy proposal, RGS & AWS has been actively engaged in influencing the proposed policy to reflect our values and commitment to sustainable forest management,” said Jones. “This includes hundreds of hours of staff time, RGS leadership with partner groups, collaboration with the forest industry, formal submission of comments and meetings with the Forest Service, administration officials and others.”
Ruffed grouse and American woodcock are bellwethers of forest condition. These species can survive and thrive only in healthy, diverse forests. These same forests clean the air, filter water and support local communities.
“We appreciate the administration’s acknowledgement of the importance of our forests as climate mitigation tools and its commitment to a durable approach to managing these critical public resources over the long term,” Jones continued. “We look forward to continued work with the Forest Service in charting management strategies that advance sustainable forestry, optimize carbon stewardship and ensure healthy wildlife habitat.”
Along with its partner groups, RGS & AWS maintains that old forests are one of a number of critical successional stages in healthy ecosystems. Disproportionate emphasis on old growth and mature forests – without respect to forest type and in a way that prioritizes them over other forest types – could hinder the Forest Service’s ability to optimize carbon stewardship, resilience and biodiversity.
About the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society
Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society unites conservationists to improve wildlife habitat and forest health and promote a conservation ethic, all grounded in the tenets of science-based management practices.
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Media Contact:
Katie McKalip
Vice President, Communications and Marketing
KatieM@RuffedGrouseSociety.org
