New RGS Biologist for Wisconsin
CORAOPOLIS, PA - Jonathan Steigerwaldt is the new regional wildlife biologist/forest wildlife specialist coordinator with The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS) for Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois. RGS/AWS is a key partner in the Wisconsin Young Forest Partnership.
Jonathan Steigerwaldt is the new regional biologist for RGS/AWS in Wisconsin and three other Midwestern states.
Steigerwaldt will provide leadership and use education and outreach to further RGS/AWS habitat programs that create young forest habitat helping ruffed grouse and American woodcock thrive on both public and private lands in the four states. Steigerwaldt will also coordinate the RGS/AWS forest wildlife specialist program, supporting the two forest wildlife specialists in Wisconsin that enhance private land forest habitat development in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR), and will help other staff members develop additional forest wildlife specialist positions in other states.
“I am very pleased with the addition of Jonathan to the respected Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society biologist team,” said RGS/AWS Director of Conservation Policy Brent Rudolph. “He comes to us with a lot of passion, [an] impressive background of education and work experience and the skills necessary to make a difference for the future of healthy forest management in his region.”
Steigerwaldt grew up on a certified Tree Farm and earned a Bachelor’s degree in forest management from the University Wisconsin, Stevens Point (UWSP). He worked in the Wisconsin County Forests Association for several years before returning to UWSP to earn a Master’s in natural resources, studying ecosystem responses to prescribed fire and timber harvesting treatments, focusing on wildlife use, insect populations, and vegetation and tree responses.
Steigerwaldt has also held forestry positions with WI DNR and has a number of years of experience as a private forestry consultant, a Wisconsin cooperating forester and a certified management plan writer. He emphasizes public outreach and education and has served as an instructor of forestry on a variety of subjects, including dendrology, land measurement, the ecological basis for natural resources management, plant identification, GIS and fisheries, forestry and wildlife management.
“I am extremely excited to further my passion for stewardship of natural resources through this position with the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society,” Steigerwaldt said. “I look forward to building on my prior work experiences and training to perpetuate and enhance our mission to create healthy forests that benefit forest wildlife in my region.”
Steigerwaldt resides in Spooner, WI, and officially started his position on July 30, 2018. Contact him at JonS@RuffedGrouseSociety.org or (412) 720-6033.