RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY

Programs: Membership services: servicing memberships including the publication of the "ruffed grouse society" magazine, regional director newsletters (per 4b, past issues available on rgs' website), annual report to sponsors (available on rgs' website); chapter activities including general member meetings, dog training classes, shooting instruction for youth and adults, bird identification along with sexing and aging techniques, ect. ; provide recognition for service by our volunteers, supporting foundations, program partners ; and our corporate sponsors also provide advertising dollars that reduce the cost of the magazine for members.

various educational programs: wildlife habitat improvement education including workshops, symposia and habitat consultations with forest landowners and land managers; publications, printing acquisition and distribution, and chapter expense; as well as press releases to educate the general public about issues and activities relevant to rgs' mission; regional directors newsletters; various regional biologist activities including periodic publication of forest action network (fan) newsletters and annual biologist's reports (available on website), restoring upland forests' future (ruff) case statement booklet provides a synopsis of rgs' programs; and finally our corporate sponsors provide free or reduced-cost merchandise that assists chapters in raising revenue.

public land management programs: direct grants to county, state and federal land management agencies to enhance wildlife management areas (wmas) including providing five habitat machines to assist in managing the wmas and private lands. This program was expanded in 2008 to include not only public but private land implementation and we've received timber rights valued at $5,000,000 on 2,300 acre tract in pa. This area will be used as a model for early successional forest management. An additional land management program was started in 2009 - the ruffed grouse society will manage 7,000 acres acres of land owned by consol energy, in return for which we will receive half of the sale proceeds and pay 15% of the total sale proceeds to the forestry consultant.