Ruffed Grouse Society Announces Pennsylvania Drummer Fund Projects for 2012
Ruffed Grouse Society 05.09.12
The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) has selected seven projects on lands open to public access to receive over $37,000 during 2012 through its Pennsylvania Drummer Fund program. These projects are designed to benefit habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and all wildlife species utilizing young forest habitat including bear, deer and many songbirds. Cooperators in RGS projects in 2012 in Pennsylvania include Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), Pennsylvania State Parks, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Wildlife Management Institute (WMI), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Hancock Timber Resource Group, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Boy Scouts of America (BSA), and the American Chestnut Foundation (ACF).
The Pennsylvania Drummer Fund was initiated in 2010 with funds raised by local RGS Chapter fundraising events and member donations. The first year that funds were available, 2011, from the Drummer Fund over $32,000 was made available and with matching funds over $114,000 was provided to support grouse and American woodcock projects in Pennsylvania.
Twelve proposals were submitted for funding. The emphasis was on landscape impact and as such RGS was limited in funding available. The selection this year was extremely difficult and many excellent proposals were not funded and asked to be resubmitted next year. Proposals selected for funding were evaluated using specific criteria. Projects supported by funding from other organizations or agencies also received higher consideration. Total cost for 2012 is $112,953 for the seven funded projects.
Pennsylvania Drummer Fund Projects approved for 2012 include:
- Swartara State Park Woodcock Habitat Initiative Project – South Mountain Chapter RGS, PGC, DCNR, WMI, USFWS.
- SGL 110 – Continued early successional habitat work for the past decade and enhancing brood habitat to compliment the area. Charles E. Bechtel / Delaware Valley Chapter RGS, PGC.
- SGL 141 – On going work from grouse management area brood habitat. Northeast PA Chapter RGS, PGC, TNC.
- SGL 28 / 44 – Continued planting of conifer cover and mast producing vegetation. Allegheny Chapter RGS, PGC
- Hancock ESH Project at Bunker Hill Farm – Managing large timber tract for grouse and American woodcock. Allegheny Chapter RGS, PGC, Hancock Timber Resource Group.
- Laughlintown – Plantings of seedlings and brood habitat. Greensburg Chapter RGS, BSA, DCNR, ACF
- SGL 101 – Early successional aspen cut for American woodcock management. French Creek Valley Chapter RGS, PGC.
Information on the RGS, its mission, management projects, donation to the PA Drummer Fund Habitat Program, and membership can be found on the web at: www.ruffedgrousesociety.org
Healthy Forests. Abundant Wildlife. Sporting Traditions.
Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society is North America’s foremost conservation organization dedicated to preserving our sporting traditions by creating healthy forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other wildlife. RGS works with landowners and government agencies to develop critical habitat utilizing scientific management practices.
