Photo: Noppadol Paothong
wildlife
We provide scientific reports, project profiles, technical tools, videos, photos, field guides, and links that tell the story of how cooperative conservation is making a difference for working lands and wildlife across the West.
Featured Rancher
Montana Sheep Grower Explores Value-Added Options for Livestock
November 5, 2024
Learn how sheep and cattle rancher, Ben Lehfeldt, is working with the NRCS to make his operation more profitable and better for ...
News
USDA Announces Department-wide Effort to Support Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat Connectivity
October 23, 2024
New USDA Announcement Supports Wildlife Connectivity Across the ...
News
From Bird To Biome: Keeping the range intact for wildlife and people
September 27, 2024
Learn more about our shift from species-specific conservation to biome-centric ...
Publication Alert
Next-gen remote sensing tools level up rangeland conservation
October 12, 2022
New research highlights how remote sensing tools accurately and efficiently detail conservation outcomes on ...
News
Ask an Expert: Early Warning Signals and Grassland Bird Richness
December 29, 2021
Caleb Roberts discusses two recent papers that highlight how the Rangeland Analysis Platform is informing on-the-ground conservation in the Great ...
Publication Alert
Spatial Technology Reveals Early Warning Signs of Large-Scale Woody Encroachment Threat to Greater Prairie-Chickens
December 28, 2021
Research provides early warning signal for landscapes transitioning from grasslands to ...
News
Conserving Prime Hay Ground As Well As Colorado’s Famous Elk and Deer
August 23, 2021
The Etchart Family worked with the NRCS, TNC, and the CO Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust to place much of the ranch in a conservation easement protecting this prime ...
News
Turning former cropland into green grass — and green cash
July 12, 2021
Learn how one producer worked with the NRCS to turn expired CRP lands into profitable grazing lands that support wildlife while producing income for the ranch and local ...
News
Great Plains Grasslands Framework in Focus: Wildlife Conservation Through Sustainable Ranching
April 22, 2021
Dig into the Framework for Conservation Action in the Great Plains Grasslands ...
News
Shared Capacity, Shared Success
February 21, 2021
Learn about the Strategic Action Watershed Team and how these partner-positions are adding significant capacity to NRCS offices across the ...
Ask an Expert
Fire and the Great Plains
August 11, 2020
Fire used to play a big role in shaping the Great Plains. Does it today and how do the Plains recover from fire? Dr. Victoria Donovan answers these and other questions in this ...
News
Western Working Lands Snapshot | Western Meadowlarks
November 19, 2019
Our second Western Working Lands Snapshot post features the western meadowlark. This pretty bird has one of the sweetest calls in the ...
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | Pronghorn
October 25, 2019
Test your knowledge of pronghorn, one of the most iconic residents of the sagebrush ...
News
Conservation Easements Continue to Protect Idaho’s Pioneers-To-Craters Landscape
May 23, 2019
Two new easements protect an additional 2,500 acres of prime sagebrush habitat, adding to area's conservation ...
News
Big Picture of Woodland Management in Sagebrush Country
May 9, 2019
Science to Solutions - New research highlights reduction and expansion of conifer encroachment in sagebrush ...
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | Elk
April 16, 2019
Take this Sage Whiz Quiz to test your knowledge of ...
News
1,800 Ranchers and Counting!
December 18, 2018
As 2018 comes to a close, the Sage Grouse Initiative caught up with Tim Griffiths, NRCS’s Western Working Lands for Wildlife Coordinator, for a glance back and a peek ...
News
NEW SCIENCE | Middle Ground Found On The Range
September 27, 2018
New research shows grazing access to public lands in the western U.S. can be good for ranching and ...
News
Harnessing Technology Improves Conservation Effectiveness
March 20, 2018
Innovative Web App increases conservation effectiveness on working lands in the American West by matching the right practices to the right places using emerging science and ...
News
California Ranchers Safeguard Agriculture and Sage Grouse Habitat
March 14, 2018
A conservation easement funded in part by the NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative will protect some of the best habitat in California for mule deer, waterfowl, migratory ...
News
BEEF Magazine | Thomas Brothers Make The Ground Better In Idaho
February 14, 2018
By Brianna Randall | Partnering with the USDA-led Sage Grouse Initiative helps young ranchers improve the land for both sage grouse and ...
News
PHEASANTS FOREVER Magazine | Making Room Out West
February 5, 2018
by Hannah Nikonow, Intermountain West Joint Venture | Removal of encroaching trees benefits upland gamebirds, ranching and other ...
News
New Online Tool Shows Songbird Abundance Across Sagebrush Country
January 16, 2018
Check out the latest map additions to the SGI Web App, which allow users to easily visualize songbird distribution, bolstering multi-species conservation across the American ...
News
Patch-Burn Grazing Fires Up Prairie-Chicken Habitat
January 3, 2018
SCIENCE TO SOLUTIONS: Hot off the press! New research shows that patch-burn grazing creates the mosaic of grassland habitat structure that prairie-chickens depend on. LPCI's ...
News
Bats, Butterflies, Bobwhites and More! New Videos About Working Lands For Wildlife
December 19, 2017
Learn how NRCS has been scaling up the cooperative, science-based conservation model that's working for sagebrush wildlife to focal landscapes across ...
News
FAIR CHASE Magazine | The Value of Sagebrush Country
December 8, 2017
by Josh Millspaugh | This feature in the December 2017 issue of Fair Chase Magazine highlights how sage grouse conservation benefits hunters and a host of wildlife ...
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | How Do Sagebrush Animals Survive Winter?
December 6, 2017
Are you a sage whiz? Test your knowledge on how animals use sagebrush range during the cold, harsh winter ...
News
VIDEOS | Meet The Thomas Family, Sustainable Ranchers in Idaho
November 20, 2017
Watch short videos to hear how and why two young ranchers have put in place conservation practices that benefit the bird and their ...
News
Journal Of Wildlife Management Study: Grazing Shows Little Effect On Grouse Nesting
October 31, 2017
by David Frey, for The Wildlife Society | A study in Montana found livestock grazing management doesn’t have as strong a link with sage grouse nest success as previously ...
News
Prairie Grouse Meeting Showcases Latest Prairie-Chicken Research
October 25, 2017
LPCI PRESS RELEASE: Emerging research on lesser prairie-chickens took center stage last week at the 32nd annual Prairie Grouse Technical Council meeting in Dickinson, North ...
News
What’s It Like To Photograph Sage Grouse?
October 23, 2017
Wildlife photographer, Noppadol Paothong, spent 5 years on his newly released book, Sage Grouse: Icon of the West. Learn how and why he created this beautiful book featuring ...
News
#HabitatHero Mike Fenn: Leaving A Legacy For Wildlife In Wyoming
September 25, 2017
by Brianna Randall | Landowners like Mike Fenn in western Wyoming are voluntarily stepping up to protect and restore the sagebrush country that supports their way of ...
Ask An Expert
Do Elk Need Sagebrush?
September 11, 2017
Historically, elk were found in all but five states in the U.S. However, due to over-hunting, elk populations declined from more than 10 million to less than 100,000 by the ...
News
Stewardship With Vision | David Spicer Conserves Habitat In Nevada
June 23, 2017
Nevada rancher and miner shares his story of why he believes in conserving Nevada's Oasis Valley in a new video produced by the Western Landowners ...
News
Learning To Think Like Water & Photos From SGI’s 7th Annual Workshop
June 21, 2017
Over 170 sagebrush conservation partners from around the West met in Colorado to learn what's working for the bird and the herd. Watch the video ...
Sage Whiz Quiz
Take This Quiz To See If You’re A Sage Whiz | Pygmy Rabbit
June 7, 2017
Learn cool facts and test your knowledge about the pygmy rabbit, one of 350 species that depends on healthy, intact sagebrush ...
News
How Do We Find (And Protect) Precious Wet Places In The West?
May 10, 2017
Mesic areas comprise only 1-2% of the western landscape, but 80% of animals depend on them -- including sage grouse and livestock. Learn why they're important and how to ...
News
Cherish The Soils And Roots That Support Life On The Range
May 4, 2017
The roots of wildflowers on the range support a hidden world of living organisms that produce healthy soils. Nurturing these native plants creates healthier soils and keeps ...
News
Fun Fact Friday: A Natural Winter Windbreak In Sagebrush
January 9, 2017
by Nancy Patterson, BLM | What are wildlife to do out in the sagebrush 'Big Empty' to protect themselves from harsh winter weather conditions? Let sagebrush come to the ...
News
#350Species – Autumn In The Sagebrush Ecosystem
October 31, 2016
by Nancy Patterson, BLM Rocky Mountain Region, via mypubliclands.tumblr.com | Greater sage-grouse, 350+ other species, and millions of people depend on the iconic sagebrush ...
News
Helmick Family Conserves Vital Habitat For Sage Grouse In Idaho
July 28, 2016
To this multi-generational family, conservation and ranching are one and the same. Learn how they've worked with SGI to increase carrying capacity and grass production for the ...
News
Rockin’ TD Ranch Champions Rangeland Conservation in Nevada
June 21, 2016
Tony and Diane Stobiecki partner with the Sage Grouse Initiative to improve habitat for wildlife and their ranch's bottom line by putting in place projects that improve water ...
News
Partnership Positions Allow NRCS To Double The Amount of Conservation In The West
May 10, 2016
Thanks to hundreds of partners who help us achieve wildlife conservation through sustainable ranching, the Sage Grouse Initiative, has proven to be a model for cooperative, ...
News
New Report | Sage Grouse Populations On the Rise
August 18, 2015
According to a new report by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the population of the greater sage-grouse has grown by nearly two-thirds since 2013 across ...
News
Oregon Rancher Gary Bedortha Removes Juniper Trees to Create a Safe Haven for Sage Grouse
June 12, 2014
Rancher Gary Bedortha shares his story of juniper removal on 12,000 acres of his private ranchland near Paulina to benefit sage grouse and the sagebrush-steppe ...
News
Montana Outdoors: Last Stand of the Sage-Grouse
November 7, 2013
Where Can Sage-Grouse Live? Why good grazing practices and more state and federal land-use regulations are essential for keeping these beleaguered birds off the endangered ...