Initiative will enhance wildlife habitats and support local economies through innovative land management practices

A message for John xxxxxx - [email protected]
View this email in your browser ([link removed])
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Gov. Justice launches West Virginia Ruffed Grouse and Wildlife Restoration program
Initiative will enhance wildlife habitats and support local economies through innovative land management practices
[link removed]
CHARLESTON, WV — Gov. Jim Justice today announced ([link removed]) the launch of the West Virginia Ruffed Grouse and Wildlife Restoration Program, a groundbreaking initiative to enhance wildlife habitats through the strategic planting of soft mast-producing trees and shrubs on recently harvested private timberlands.

This innovative program is designed to provide vital food sources for a variety of wildlife species, including ruffed grouse, white-tailed deer and songbirds, while also benefiting landowners and local economies. It will be administered through a cooperative effort led by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and West Virginia Division of Forestry.

“We’ve been working for quite some time to launch this program, and let me tell you, I am extremely excited to announce its launch,” Gov. Justice said. “As a lifelong hunter and angler, I’m so proud of the work my administration has done to invest in West Virginia and promote our state’s world-class natural resources. The strides made in this program will greatly boost our wildlife, from grouse to deer and on and on, while also becoming a huge economic driver. This program is the real deal, and I cannot wait to see how it benefits landowners, our wildlife, and our economy.”

The program allows forest landowners to reclaim up to 5 percent of their recently harvested timberlands with soft mast-producing trees and shrubs. Participants will receive technical assistance, including species recommendations, planting locations, and methodologies, and will be reimbursed for 75 percent of costs associated with the planting projects.

In addition to benefiting wildlife, the program has the potential to create jobs and stimulate local economies. Landowners can purchase trees and shrubs from local sellers or source materials from nationwide suppliers and nonprofit organizations. If landowners choose not to plant the trees and shrubs themselves, professional landscapers and tree planting contractors can take on the task, creating new opportunities for small businesses and local job growth.

This initiative supports a variety of conservation and recreational goals while fostering economic benefits, including job creation in nursery production and planting operations. The program also enhances habitats for wildlife by providing critical food and cover resources in recently harvested areas.
###

============================================================

CONTACT THE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

C.J. Harvey
Director of Communications
** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Rachael Harper
Senior Communications Specialist
** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

FOLLOW GOVERNOR JUSTICE

** Gov. Justice on Twitter ([link removed])
** Gov. Justice on Facebook ([link removed])
** Gov. Justice on Instagram ([link removed])
** Gov. Justice on YouTube ([link removed])
** Gov. Justice on Flickr ([link removed])
** Governor's Website ([link removed])
You are receiving this email from Governor Jim Justice's Communications Office. Any reference to the word "campaign" in any link associated with this email has been generated by Mailchimp, an online web-based marketing program, and not by the Office of the Governor. Any document linked in this email is a document of the Governor's Communications Office and not of any campaign.

We routinely add email addresses from people we meet who contact Governor Justice's office. If you do not wish to receive messages from our office, please click the Unsubscribe link below for instant removal.
You are receiving this email because you asked to receive updates from the Governor's Office.

Our mailing address is:
Governor's Communications Office
1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
State Capitol
Charleston, WV 25305
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
[link removed]