RGS Announces 2012 Wisconsin Drummer Fund Projects
01/26/12« Back
PRESS RELEASE
451 McCormick Rd
Coraopolis PA 15108
(412) 262-4044
www.ruffedgrousesociety.org
Fourteen Projects Approved For Funding
Coraopolis, PA – The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) has selected fourteen projects on public lands in Wisconsin to receive nearly $58,000 during 2012 through its Wisconsin Drummer Fund program. The projects are designed to benefit habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and wildlife species like deer and songbirds that rely upon young forests for survival. Partners receiving RGS funding for projects in Wisconsin in 2012 include County Forestry Departments in Ashland, Bayfield, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon and Price Counties, SW Badger Resource Conservation & Development Council, USDA Forest Service, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
According to Dr. Mike Zagata, RGS President and CEO, “RGS continues to support critical wildlife related projects across Wisconsin working with a wide variety of partners. Since 1985, RGS has contributed over $800,000 dollars to fund 92 projects in 43 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. Our ability to support these important projects is highly dependent on the tireless efforts of the dedicated members of our local RGS Chapters in Wisconsin and Illinois.”
The Wisconsin Drummer Fund was initiated in 2010 with funds being raised at chapter fund raising events and member donations. In 2011, the first year that funds from the Drummer Fund were distributed, over $53,000 was made available to support grouse and woodcock projects.
Wisconsin Drummer Fund Projects approved for 2012 include:
Bayfield County Forest Woodcock Habitat – Wisconsin DNR and Bayfield County Forestry Department
Driftless Region Forestry Assistance – SW Badger Resource Conservation & Development Council
East Side & Roddis Trail Rehabilitation – Ashland County Forestry and Recreation Department
Great Divide Trail and Opening Rehabilitation – USDA Forest Service
Hobbles Creek Grouse Habitat Area Development – Price County Forestry and Parks Department
Kimberly Clark Wildlife Area Alder Regeneration – Wisconsin DNR
Langlade and Lincoln County Opening and Trail Rehabilitation – Wisconsin DNR, Langlade and Lincoln County Forestry Departments
Marathon County Alder Regeneration – Wisconsin DNR and Marathon County Forestry Department
North Central Wisconsin Private Landowner Workshops – Wisconsin DNR
Potato River Grouse Management Area Development – Wisconsin DNR & Iron County Forestry Department
Radley Creek Woodcock Singing Ground Restoration – Wisconsin DNR
Skinner Creek Grouse Management Area Sign Replacement – Price County Forestry and Parks Department
Stone Lake Ruffed Grouse Research Area Drumming Surveys – Wisconsin DNR
Woodboro Lakes Wildlife Management Area Trail Network Development - Wisconsin DNR
The Wisconsin DNR is a recipient of funding for nine projects in 2012 through this program. Chuck McCullough, DNR Area Wildlife Supervisor, states, “RGS plays a major role in funding habitat work for grouse and woodcock. We couldn't do this without their help."
The projects selected for funding under the Wisconsin Drummer Fund were evaluated using specific criteria. Projects that also were supported by funding from other organizations received higher consideration. “The $57,962 being provided by RGS is being matched by other agencies and organizations to cover total project costs of just over $153,000 for these fourteen projects”, reports RGS coordinating biologist Gary Zimmer.
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.
Media Contact:
Gary Zimmer, RGS Coordinating Wildlife Biologist
Phone: 715-674-7505
E-Mail: rgszimm@gmail.com