Steepletop Property, Berkshire County, Massachusetts

This 879-acre property, owned by the Berkshire Natural Resources Council, lies near New Marlborough in the Housatonic River watershed in western Massachusetts. The tract includes a mix of wetlands and mature forest. On numerous timber stands, 4- to 5-acre clearcuts will create woodcock feeding, nesting, brood-rearing, and roosting cover while improving overall habitat and biodiversity qualities on the property. Partners: Berkshire Natural Resources Council, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service (through Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project funding), Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Wildlife Management Institute.

Devlin Property, Hancock County, Maine

On this private tract in Midcoast Maine, block and strip cuts will regenerate aspen and alder stands, creating around 6 acres of feeding cover and another 9 to 11 acres of nesting and brood-rearing habitat. Over time, up to 32 acres of early successional habitat will be opened up on the property. Partners: Patrick Devlin, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Wildlife Management Institute.

Mattawamkeag River Wildlife Management Area, Penobscot County, Maine

This 4000-acre WMA features extensive wetlands along the Mattawamkeag River near Kingman in eastern Maine. On the Page Farm tract, a network of strip and patch cuts totalling more than 86 acres will be made in stands of alder, aspen, and other hardwoods. Workers will mow old fields to create and maintain woodcock singing grounds and roosting areas. Partners: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Wild Turkey Federation, Paul Fortunato, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Wildlife Management Institute.

Apple Orchard Stewardship Project, Bennington County, Vermont

This cooperative project east of Manchester in the Green Mountain National Forest will create around 34 acres of young forest and grassy openings to benefit wild turkeys, grassland and shrubland songbirds, woodcock, ruffed grouse, snowshoe hares, and many other wild animals. Management efforts will be aimed at spurring the regrowth of aspen, encouraging dense stands of young hardwood trees, releasing apple trees, and establishing and maintaining native-grass openings. Partners: U.S. Forest Service, National Wild Turkey Federation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Wildlife Management Institute.