(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

West Virginia is covered in habitat that suits animals who just don’t do well anywhere else. (The same might be true for some of the humans here, too.) But our abundant natural splendor still needs to be protected — and, in some cases, restored — to ensure those creatures have exactly the space they need.

For that reason, U.S. Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., has introduced the Growing and Restoring Operational Upland Species Ecosystems Act of 2026. Here, and across the country, it would “amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to establish a program to promote upland species habitat restoration, and for other purposes,” according to the Congressional record.

Justice’s office says the measure would reimburse forest land owners 75% of the cost of habitat restoration and incentivize the establishment of vegetation, including native soft-mass trees and shrubs.

U.S. Senate Bill 4548 recognizes that land owners sometimes have to make tough choices about using their land in a way that is beneficial to them AND takes care of our ecosystems.

“The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society applaud Senator Justice for introducing the GROUSE Act of 2026,” said Mark Hatfield, chief conservation and operations officer for the society. “This legislation represents a meaningful step forward for upland wildlife conservation by creating incentives for private forest landowners to restore early successional habitat following commercial timber harvests and natural disasters. RGS and AWS have long championed active forest management as a cornerstone of healthy forest ecosystems. Healthy ruffed grouse and American woodcock populations are indicators of healthy forests, and healthy forests benefit countless wildlife species and the hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts who depend on them.”

West Virginia’s Forestry Association and Division of Natural Resources support the measure, too. What’s good for the grouse is good for the rest of us. Surely other lawmakers will see Justice’s bill as an important way to take care of our land AND the animals and people who live on it.