October 22, 2021
New National MOU with Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society
I’m pleased to announce a new national MOU between USACE and the Ruffed Grouse Society/American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS). This MOU (attached) will help us to continue to collaborate on projects related to protection, restoration, and enhancement of ruffed grouse and American woodcock habitat on lands managed by USACE.

Established in 1961, RGS/AWS is a 501(c)(3) conservation organization dedicated to healthy forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock, and all forest wildlife. Members are mainly grouse and woodcock hunters who support national scientific conservation and management efforts to ensure the future of the species. RGS/AWS employs a team of forest wildlife conservation professionals to work with private landowners, and government, including local, state, and federal land managers who are interested in improving their forest land for wildlife. USACE and RGS/AWS have worked together on numerous environmental stewardship and recreation related projects to benefit ruffed grouse and American woodcock and wish to maintain and expand these efforts.

For more info: https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/

This MOU establishes a framework for continued collaboration based on the following: Shared desire for the management of water resources consistent with the need for sustainable land use, development, and conservation.

Shared appreciation of the value of working in partnerships, both public and private, and engaging communities and diverse stakeholders by identifying, understanding, and implementing projects to improve ruffed grouse and American woodcock habitat at USACE projects. Shared desire to exchange and disseminate conservation and environmental information related to ruffed grouse and American woodcock habitat and management.

A copy of this agreement is posted to the NRM Gateway at https://corps lakes.erdc.dren.mil/employees/cecwon/mou.cfm Additionally, a webinar co-hosted by RGS/AWS to present additional information on this agreement will be set up in the near future. A separate calendar invitation will be sent out in advance.

Please feel free to contact me, or your division Partnership Advisory Committee member if you have any questions: (NAD-Scott Sunderland; SAD- Francis Ferrell; MVD-Phil Manhart; LRD-Allison Walker; SWD-Jennifer Linde; SPD- Taylor Baughn; NWD- Heath Kruger)

Heather Burke
US Army Corps of Engineers
National Partnership and Volunteer Program Manager

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