NAB: Habitat Improvements with Ruffed Grouse Society at Raystown Lake

Partnership sign at the entrance to wildlife management area.

Pennsylvania Conservation Corps planting conifer plantings for winter thermal habitat.

Lake: Raystown Lake, PA

Partners: USACE; Ruffed Grouse Society; Pennsylvania Conservation Corps; Pennsylvania Game Commission

Partnership Type: Local MOU

Corps POC: Jeffrey F. Krause Wildlife Biologist, Raystown Lake

Story: In June of 1997, the Corps of Engineers at Raystown Lake and the Ruffed Grouse Society signed an MOU and dedicated two unique habitat improvement projects in memory of Jim Bashline, a well-known outdoor writer and conservationist.

The Jim Bashline Wildlife Habitat Management Area situated at the southern end of the lake is managed for early successional habitat through timber harvesting. Management activities are being coordinated by the Ruffed Grouse Society, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Included in these activities are small-block timber harvest operations to provide the dense, young forest habitats required by ruffed grouse, American woodcock, golden-winged warblers, and numerous other species. Additional activities include the establishment of conifer seedlings and fruiting shrub plantings to augment local food sources and provide cover.

The second project area of about 200 acres encompasses the existing Old Logger's Trail. This trail has been improved to offer a wildlife habitat management theme with interpretive stations designed to educate the user of the benefits of habitat manipulation, including timber harvest, plantings, wetland habitat, and tree identification. Known as the Jim Bashline Wildlife Habitat Demonstration Area, school groups, campers, and hikers will utilize this unique outdoor "classroom."

The Ruffed Grouse Society has committed to providing long-term financial and technical assistance to ensure the success of the Bashline Memorial Project. To date the Society has provided over $ 40,000 and the Corps has more than matched the funds with staff labor and contracts funded through revenues from timber sale activities.

URL: http://raystown.nab.usace.army.mil/LandManagement/jim_bashline_project.htm