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ivironment News Service: AmeriScan : May 8 , 2000 wysiwygJ/6/httpWens . lycos . com/ens/may2000/2000L - 05 -08 - 09 .htmi <br /> POWER COMPANY PROMOTES SUSTAINABLE FOREST <br /> MANAGEMENT <br /> CUMBERLAND, Ohio, May 8 , 2000 ( ENS ) - American Electric Power <br /> and the Ruffed Grouse Society today signed a partnership <br /> agreement to enhance the environment for the ruffed grouse and <br /> other forest wildlife . The parties agreed on a multi - faceted approach <br /> to their common goal , including efforts to identify , develop and <br /> implement research , management and educational projects for <br /> ruffed grouse and other wildlife on forest lands administered by AEP . <br /> The utility now owns more than 200 , 000 acres of forest in seven <br /> midwestern states and placed these lands under formal - forest <br /> management in 1978 . " For years AEP has worked toward the <br /> practice of sustainable forestry , and this includes an active program <br /> of forest wildlife management , " said Gary Kaster , AEP ' s forestry <br /> programs supervisor . " Partnerships , such as this new effort with the <br /> Ruffed Grouse Society , help us to achieve mutual goals in forest <br /> wildlife management . " <br /> The partnership emphasizes habitat diversity by spacing small cuts <br /> throughout a woodland when harvesting timber . Over time , as <br /> subsequent small cuts are made , age diversity is created to provide <br /> different types of food and cover for wildlife . The agreement also <br /> includes AEP ' s pledge to reclaim new or re - graded transmission line <br /> access roads by improving or establishing habitat and providing <br /> wildlife plantings . The company also will provide information about <br /> various Ruffed Grouse Society programs to property owners who <br /> establish wildlife habitat on power line rights of way under terms of <br /> Wildlife Enhancement Agreements . " The Ruffed Grouse Society <br /> traditionally works in the areas of research , education and habitat <br /> development , and our main conservation programs have influenced <br /> many thousands of acres of woodland wildlife habitat , " said Dan <br /> Dessecker , senior wildlife biologist for the Ruffed Grouse Society . <br /> " This opportunity to work with AEP extends our outreach <br /> significantly . " <br /> Click Here for Related Stories <br /> © Environment News Service ( ENS ) 2000 . All Rights Reserved , <br /> 4 : <br /> 1 <br /> Environmental Press Releases <br />