Conservation Visions and RGS & AWS form new conservation partnership

Conservation Visions and the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society have launched a partnership to link forest management, wildlife habitat, sustainable harvest and broader social benefits. The effort centers on research and outreach that could strengthen support for biodiversity, food security and rural communities.

Why it matters: - The partnership aims to show that active forest management can produce broader benefits than wildlife abundance alone. - The collaboration connects conservation science with food security, rural economies and public support for sustainable use of natural resources. - The groups want to strengthen the case that healthy forests, wildlife habitat and sustainable harvest support one another.

What happened: - Conservation Visions and the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society entered a new conservation partnership. - The agreement links RGS & AWS expertise in forest habitat restoration and wildlife management with Conservation Visions' work in conservation science, community-building, sustainable use and research. - The announcement came from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, on November 3, 2026.

The details: - The partnership will focus on demonstrating how investments in forest health and wildlife habitat can benefit biodiversity, food security, rural communities and conservation support. - The effort centers on Conservation Visions' Wild Harvest Initiative® (WHI), which is described as a first-of-its-kind research and communications program on the economic, social and ecological significance of wild food harvesting. - The collaboration will build on WHI research by adding RGS & AWS expertise in forest habitat management. - The groups plan to strengthen evidence showing the broader conservation and societal benefits of sustainable wildlife use. - Conservation Visions President Shane Mahoney said wildlife abundance is a major conservation achievement and that conserving wildlife and sustaining the benefits people derive from it are mutually reinforcing responsibilities. - RGS & AWS Vice President of Conservation Karl Malcolm said long-term forest stewardship is essential to preserving the many values forests provide to society.

Between the lines: - The partnership reflects a broader push to frame wildlife conservation as part of a larger land-use and public-benefit strategy, not just a species-focused effort. - The emphasis on communication suggests the organizations see a gap between conservation outcomes and public understanding of how those outcomes are created. - By tying habitat management to food security and community benefits, the groups are widening the argument for active stewardship beyond traditional hunting or forestry audiences.

What's next: - The organizations will use the partnership to expand research and outreach around active habitat stewardship, wildlife outcomes and ecological resilience. - The collaboration is expected to support broader conservation community engagement around the benefits people derive from healthy forests. - More information - More information

The bottom line: - Conservation Visions and RGS & AWS are pairing research and habitat expertise to make the case that sustainable wildlife use and forest conservation reinforce each other.