By: Chance Hines
10/1/25

The Center for Conservation Biology (CCB) has documented a remarkable and steady recovery of the red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) at Piney Grove Preserve in Virginia over the past two decades. What began in the early 2000s as a population of fewer than ten individuals spread among three breeding groups has blossomed to well over 100 birds spread among 22 groups. Growth has been especially strong over the past few years.

This year, the number of fledglings soared, producing nearly 50% more than last year’s record-breaking total. This surge stems largely from an increase in newly established breeding groups in recent years followed by diminishing antagonistic interactions and territory-boundary skirmishes that are common between newly established breeding groups and their neighbors. These interactions have likely muted population growth in the past couple years, despite several new groups being formed. Many of these groups coexisted more peacefully during the 2025 breeding season and that cooperation propelled this year’s exceptional reproductive output.

With this resurgence has come an increasing responsibility for monitoring. Each new breeding group requires careful tracking of nesting success, habitat conditions, and social dynamics, adding to the workload of CCB and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) staff who manage the habitat and population. Fieldwork often means long days in the woods, climbing ladders, banding chicks, recording behavior, and ensuring suitable habitat is maintained. Fortunately, both organizations bring decades of experience to this effort, and volunteers are often eager to lend a hand when extra help is needed. This resurgence is a testament to the dedicated efforts of TNC, Virginia Dept. of Wildlife Resources, Virginia Dept. of Forestry, CCB, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other partners. TNC’s initial acquisition of Piney Grove began in 1998, when it purchased approximately 1,100 ha (about 2,718 acres) of habitat formerly owned by Hancock Timber and this preserve has since grown to roughly 3,200 acres through additional purchases. Virginia’s Department of Game & Inland Fisheries and Department of Forestry have also acquired several thousand acres, establishing the Big Woods Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Big Woods State Forest adjacent to Piney Grove. Together, Piney Grove Preserve (~3,200 acres), Big Woods WMA (~4,200 acres), and Big Woods State Forest form a contiguous landscape of over 10,000 acres dedicated to pine savanna restoration.