Coraopolis, PA – The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) has selected 15 projects to receive over $58,000 during 2013 through its Wisconsin Drummer Fund program. The projects are designed to benefit habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other wildlife species that rely upon young forests for survival. Partners receiving RGS funding for projects in Wisconsin in 2013 include county forestry departments in Douglas, Florence, Marathon, Oconto, Washburn, Wood, and Vilas Counties, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Other partners providing support for these projects include the American Bird Conservancy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
According to John Eichinger, RGS President and CEO, “2013 is a record year for the Wisconsin Drummer Fund with the most funds being distributed to the highest number of projects that RGS has ever supported in Wisconsin. Our ability to fund these important projects is highly dependent on the dedicated efforts of the volunteer members of our local RGS chapters in Wisconsin.”
The Wisconsin Drummer Fund was initiated in 2010 and is the direct result of funds being raised specifically at Wisconsin RGS chapter fund raising events and through direct member donations. Since its inception, nearly $157,000 has been made available through the Wisconsin Drummer Fund to support 40 Wisconsin grouse and woodcock projects. These funds have been matched by other agencies and organizations and have resulted in over $350,000 worth of projects being funded in Wisconsin since 2010.
Wisconsin Drummer Fund Projects approved for 2013 include:
- Big Roche A Cri Alder Regeneration/Adams and Waushara Counties – Wisconsin DNR
- Clam Lake Wildlife Area Alder Regeneration/Burnett County – Wisconsin DNR
- Colburn Wildlife Area Alder Regeneration/Adams County– Wisconsin DNR
- Douglas County Alder Regeneration – Wisconsin DNR and Douglas County Forestry Department
- Hall’s Creek Hunting Trail Expansion/Florence County – Florence County Forestry Department
- Kubisiak Ruffed Grouse Management Area Aspen Regeneration/Wood County – Wisconsin DNR and Wood County Forestry Department
- Marathon County Alder Regeneration – Wisconsin DNR and Marathon County Forestry Department
- Oconto County Grouse Hunting Trail Development – Wisconsin DNR and Oconto County Forestry Department
- Parker Creek Alder Regeneration/Polk County – Wisconsin DNR
- Peshtigo Harbor Woodcock Habitat Restoration/Marinette County – Wisconsin DNR
- Vilas County Hunting Trail Rehabilitation - Vilas County Forestry Department
- Washburn County Wildlife Openings – Washburn County Forestry Department
- Woodcock Management Video Development – Wisconsin DNR
- Wood County Buckthorn Treatment – Wisconsin DNR and Wood County Forestry Department
- Young Forest Private Landowner Outreach – Wisconsin DNR
