The Susquehanna River Valley Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society will hold its third annual Conservation & Sportsmen’s Banquet Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Genetti Hotel, 200 W. 4th St., Williamsport.
A social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The evening will feature live and silent auctions, raffles, drawings and door prizes, highlighted with a selection of firearms, artwork and collectibles.
Featured speaker for the evening will be Ruffed Grouse Society President & CEO Dr. Benjamin C. Jones.
A native of Mansfield, Pa., Jones took over leadership of the RGS national organization in June 2018. Prior to that, he had worked for the Pennsylvania Game Commission for more than a dozen years, most recently as Habitat Division chief.
Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries science with a forest science minor from Penn State University, a master’s degree in wildlife ecology from Mississippi State, and a doctorate in natural resources from the University of Tennessee.
Proceeds from the Feb. 9 fund-raising banquet will be used to enhance and create high-quality habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other forest wildlife on public land.
The Susquehanna River Valley Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society focuses its habitat work and member-recruitment efforts in the counties of Lycoming, Sullivan, Clinton, Potter, Tioga, Bradford, Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Union and Snyder.
Individual membership and dinner tickets for the fund-raiser are $70. Dinner may also be purchased without a membership for $40. There also is a membership and spouse package with two dinners for $105, as well as a variety of discounted meal pricing for youths age 17 and under. Banquet, Conservation and Sustaining sponsorship packages are also available at $295, $550 and $1,000 respectively.
“If you have an interest in healthy forests, abundant wildlife and helping to preserve our region’s rich sporting history, please consider attending this banquet,” said Seth Heasley, chapter president. “It’s a fun time for a great cause that any outdoor enthusiast will enjoy.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact ticket chairman Jeff Fetzer at (570) 885-6112 or by email: jfetz.jf@gmail.com. Additional information can be found on the chapter website: susquehannagrouse.com.
Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society is an international wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting conditions suitable for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and related wildlife to sustain our sport hunting tradition and outdoor heritage.