Ruffed Grouse Society Honored for Forest Management

Ruffed Grouse Society Co-Recipient of State Foresters Association Award

The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) was recently honored for their efforts at increasing the importance of forest management and stewardship opportunities for forest landowners in the 2008 Farm Bill legislation. At its annual meeting in Hyannis, Massachusetts, the National Association of State Foresters recently announced the member organizations of the Forests in the Farm Bill Coalition as recipients of the 2008 Stan Adams Current Achievement Award for Partnerships.

The Forests in the Farm Bill Coalition, of which RGS is a partner organization, was formed specifically to increase opportunities for America's private forest landowners to access cost-share and other management assistance via the 2008 Farm Bill programs. The Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) of the new Farm Bill now explicitly supports those forest management practices compatible with environmental quality and that provide economic and environmental benefits to the larger society.

These practices include the active forest management necessary for the creation and retention of nationally scarce, young-forest wildlife habitats favored by ruffed grouse, American woodcock and numerous non-game species of birds, mammals, reptiles, insects and other wildlife. “This award clearly demonstrates the value of partnering with those who share a common interest and philosophy with regard to the need to manage our forests in a sustainable, ecologically sound manner in order to maximize both wildlife and economic benefits,” said RGS Executive Director and CEO Mike Zagata. The 2008 Adams award was presented to Becky Carter of The Nature Conservancy, who accepted the honor on behalf of the entire Forests in the Farm Bill Coalition, which includes:

Alliance of Landowners Associations

American Forests American Forest and Paper Association

American Forest Foundation American Forest Resource Council

American Tree Farm Syspem Association of Consulting Foresters

Chesapeake Bay Commission Eastern Forest Partnership

Environmental Defense Environment and Energy Study Institute

Hardwood Federation Maryland Forestry Association

National Association of State Foresters National Assoc. of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges

National Assoc. of University Forest Resource Programs National Wildlife Federation

National Wild Turkey Federation National Woodland Owners Association

Northern Forest Alliance Northwest Woodland Owners Council

Pacific Forest Trust Pinchot Institute for Conservation

Quail Unlimited Ruffed Grouse Society

Siuslaw Institute, Inc. Society of American Foresters

Southeast Quail Study Group Southern Environmental Law Center

Sustainable Northwest The Nature Conservancy

The Wilderness Society Trust for Public Land

Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Wildlife Mississippi Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society is the one international wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting conditions suitable for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and related wildlife to sustain our sport hunting tradition and outdoor heritage.

Information on the RGS, its mission, management projects and membership can be found on the web at: www.ruffedgrousesociety.org

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