Tionesta, Pa.:  Garrett Baker, Habitat Coordinator for the RGS Upland Bird Hunt Chapter here in NC PA said, “We could still use a few more volunteers for the alder cutting we have planned on March 1 (Sunday) at the Army Corps of Engineers Tionesta Lake.  Volunteers do not need to have any special skills.“

If volunteers are willing to help on this project, please contact Garrett Baker at bakgar42@yahoo.com because we need to know what kind, and how many, of tools to bring to support the volunteer effort.     

Tentative date planned for the alder renewal is Sunday, March 1, with a makeup day planned for Saturday, March 7, if the weather is bad on the previous Sunday.  The meeting spot will be the parking lot of the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church at 2048 German Hill Road, Tionesta, 16353.  Volunteers should be at the parking lot by 10:00 a.m. and plan on two to three hours of work.  We will caravan to the alder site from the parking lot.  

The alder renewal process involves volunteers working in teams of three.  One person with all the required safety equipment will operate a chainsaw to cut alder stumps that are one to five inches in diameter.  A second person piles brush and uses loppers to cut stumps less than one inch in size.  A third volunteer piles brush.  Boots, jackets, gloves, hats, loppers (optional), safety glasses, snacks, and drinks will be required of volunteers.  The Ruffed Grouse Society will furnish any other needed equipment.