Photo: Jeremy Roberts, Conservation Media
Sage Grouse News
Find the latest science, conservation news, success stories, featured rancher stories, updates, reports, and more below. Results are filterable based on the information you're seeking.
Publication Alert
WLFW Research Details How Wildfire Follows Cheatgrass In the Great Basin
September 29, 2023
WLFW research shows that 77% of invasive annual grass transition in the Great Basin occurred without fire, suggesting proactive management of invasive grasses is …
Publication Alert
Visual analysis shows tree expansion across Montana rangelands since 1950s
August 29, 2023
New mapping application shows where tree expansion is happening in Montana through easy-to-see, interactive comparisons of historical and modern aerial …
News
2023 Western Working Lands for Wildlife Workshop Recap
July 27, 2023
Learn more about the 2023 Western Working Lands for Wildlife …
News
New “Pocket Guide” Provides Unified Planning Process for Reducing Woody Encroachment in Grasslands
July 18, 2023
New pocket guide details conservation planning guidelines for reducing woody encroachment in …
News
Landscape Explorer map shows how much the West has changed since the 1950s
July 18, 2023
Explore past and present landscapes from the Great Plains to the Pacific coast. New, easy-to-use map uses historic and current aerial imagery to highlight how our landscapes …
News
USDA Announces Historic Investment in Wildlife Conservation, Expands Partnership to Include Additional Programs
June 27, 2023
USDA commits $500 million from Farm Bill, expanding Working Lands conservation to benefit wildlife, support agriculture, and rural …
Ask an Expert
To protect intact grasslands, start with the seed
June 26, 2023
Research highlights the importance of seed sources as a driver of grassland vulnerability to encroachment and how to best prevent manage seeds and seedlings to protect core …
Podcast
Podcast: Predicting Fire in the Great Basin
June 16, 2023
This episode of the Living with Fire podcast talks with WLFW’s Joe Smith and Jeremy Maestas to discuss Smith’s fire probability maps for the Great …
Ask an Expert
How can we balance sage grouse and pinyon jay conservation in sagebrush country?
May 17, 2023
Two recent papers highlight that the majority of conifer removal in sagebrush country has avoided key pinyon jay habitat and further detail how we can balance managing pinyon …
Publication Alert
Where trees meet sage: Striking a balance between sage grouse and pinyon jay needs
May 12, 2023
Research from two papers helps managers balance conservation to benefit imperiled sagebrush and woodland birds …
Podcast
Podcast: How Invasive Grasses Are Harming Hunting
April 19, 2023
Join Brian Mealor, director of the University of Wyoming’s Sheridan Research and Extension Center and the Institute for Managing Annual Grasses Invading Natural Ecosystems for …
Publication Alert
More woody encroachment means more wildfire risk. Prescribed fire can lower it.
April 12, 2023
WLFW-affiliated research details the risk of increasing wildfire in the Great Plains due to woody encroachment and how prescribed fires help reduce that …
News
USDA-ARS Now Stewarding the Rangeland Analysis Platform
April 10, 2023
The USDA-Agricultural Research Service is now stewarding the powerful Rangeland Analysis …
Podcast
Podcast: Part 2 of “Defend the Core” Strategy for Invasive Plants
March 30, 2023
WLFW’s Jeremy Maestas and Dirac Twidwell join the Art of Range podcast for part two of a two-part discussion of Defend the Core, a proactive management strategy defending …
Publication Alert
New science incorporates genetics and connectivity into sage grouse conservation
March 8, 2023
New research adds connectivity to sage grouse conservation strategies, opening new opportunities for conserving travel pathways that facilitate gene flow among sage grouse …
Podcast
Podcast: Maintaining the Grass
March 1, 2023
Join Kansas Backcountry Hunters and Anglers as they talk with Dean Krehbiel of Kansas NRCS and Cade Rensick, a Kansas-based producer and extension …
Podcast
Podcast: Part 1 of “Defend the Core” Strategy for Invasive Plants
February 24, 2023
WLFW’s Jeremy Maestas and Dirac Twidwell join the Art of Range podcast for part one of a two-part discussion of Defend the Core, a proactive management strategy defending …
Ask an Expert
Protecting water preserves a lifescape, not just a landscape
February 24, 2023
Longtime practitioners, Carol Evans and Sherman Swanson, share lessons learned on how to conserve and improve essential riparian resources for ranchers and wildlife …
Ask an Expert
New analysis highlights conservation challenges and opportunities on Western public lands
January 31, 2023
Recently published science applies remote-sensing tools to BLM-managed rangelands and provides an unprecedented record of how the vegetation across this enormous area has …
PUBLICATION ALERT
Research provides first-ever analysis of vegetation trends on BLM lands across West
January 4, 2023
Remote sensing technology offers a cost-efficient and spatially diverse method of analyzing vegetation trends on western rangelands, including the more than 233 million acres …
News
Latest Sage Grouse “Scorecard” Highlights NRCS Investments and Outcomes
November 17, 2022
The latest Greater Sage-Grouse Scorecard details NRCS investments and conservation milestones in sagebrush country for fiscal year 2021 and cumulatively since …
News
Latest LPCI “Scorecard” Highlights NRCS Investments and Outcomes
November 17, 2022
Check out the latest Lesser Prairie-Chicken Scorecard which details NRCS investments and conservation milestones in the southern Plains states for fiscal year 2021 and the …
Ask an Expert
Forage Production Lost to Tree Expansion
October 19, 2022
This WLFW-supported research quantifies the economic impacts of lost herbaceous production, one of the many negative effects of woody …
PUBLICATION ALERT
Herbaceous production lost to tree encroachment in United States rangelands
October 19, 2022
New research from University of Montana researchers affiliated with Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) quantifies the economic impacts of lost herbaceous production throughout …
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 …
Publication Alert
New tool maps the likelihood of large wildfires in the Great Basin
September 21, 2022
Two new papers highlight how rangeland fires are different from forest fires and how fire-probability research can inform fuels management in …
Ask an Expert
Getting Ahead of Large Rangeland Fires in the Great Basin
September 20, 2022
Join Joe Smith and Jeremy Maestas for a discussion about new, annual fire-prediction maps for the Great Basin and what they mean for managing for wildfire in …
Ask an Expert
Dr. Dirac Twidwell: Saving the Last Grasslands
June 27, 2022
WLFW science advisor Dr. Dirac Twidwell discusses how the NRCS and partners are working to save the last grasslands in the U.S. and how new science and technology is informing …
News
How To Watch The Best Mating Dance In The West
March 29, 2022
Check out the ‘sage grouse strut’ this spring on a live-streaming Lek Cam, and read helpful tips for responsible wildlife viewing in the …
News
Creating Jobs Through Conservation in Southwest Montana
March 22, 2022
In southwest Montana, a creative partnership is improving sagebrush habitat, providing jobs, and empowering youth, one project at a …
Publication Alert
The Last Continuous Grasslands on Earth
March 3, 2022
New research details the largest and most intact grasslands on Earth. Two of the largest are located here in the U.S. — the Sandhills of Nebraska and the sagebrush steppe of …
News
“Defend the Core” — Fighting back against woody invaders on the Great Plains
February 24, 2022
NRCS’ Working Lands for Wildlife is investing in big-picture, proactive ways to keep from losing healthy grasslands to woody …
News
“Defend the Core” — Fighting back against rangeland invaders in sagebrush country
February 24, 2022
Working Lands for Wildlife is leading a new charge to Defend the Core and fighting back against invasive annual …
Publication Alert
A geographic strategy for cross-jurisdictional, proactive management of invasive annual grasses in Oregon
February 23, 2022
A new “Defend the Core” strategy for addressing invasive annual grasses is emerging in Oregon and it parallels other efforts across the …
Publication Alert
Defend the Core: Maintaining intact rangelands by reducing vulnerability to invasive annual grasses
February 22, 2022
Defend the Core is an emerging, proactive strategy being used by a variety of efforts across the West to defend intact rangeland cores from threats like invasive annual …
News
New Year, New Connections, New Opportunities
January 26, 2022
With two Frameworks for Conservation Action addressing the most pressing threats facing the sagebrush and Great Plains grassland biomes, 2022 promises to be a big year for …
News
Publication Alert: Large-scale fire management restores grassland bird richness
January 18, 2022
Research from the Loess Canyons Experimental Landscape shows that strategic use of prescribed fire boosts grassland species …
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
Beaver Breaks: How Beavers (and low-tech riparian restoration) Help Reduce Impacts From Fire
November 29, 2021
View Full Size Beaver ponds produce great wet habitat which then provides a refuge for fish and wildlife in a …
Ask an Expert
The Ascent and Spread of Annual Invasive Grasses in the Great Basin
November 29, 2021
Ask an Expert: Join Joe Smith as he discusses his new research highlighting how annual invasive grasses are spreading in the Great Basin and what this means for …
Publication Alert
Publication Alert: Annual Invasive Grasses Spreading Through Great Basin to Higher Elevations and Northern Aspects
November 23, 2021
Working Lands for Wildlife research is showing that annual invasive grasses are moving up in elevation and to more northern aspects throughout the Great …
News
Warners
November 23, 2021
For eight years, SGI and partners have conducted a long-term conifer removal project in the Warner Mountains in SE Oregon. In addition to removing encroaching trees, …
News
The Story of Saving the Loess Canyons
October 20, 2021
A new report highlights how landowners in the Loess Canyons of Nebraska have successfully reversed tree encroachment in grasslands while also facilitating co-produced science …
News
Publication: Habitat Preferred by Sage Grouse Increases Six-Fold Following Tree Removal
October 20, 2021
A long-term study from Oregon shows strategic tree removal boots sage grouse use of habitat as compared to areas where no trees were …
News
A Decade of Science Support in the Sagebrush Biome
September 30, 2021
A new report summarizes – in one place – more than a decade of WLFW science support that NRCS staff and partners can incorporate into their future …
News
The Science Behind WLFW’s Riparian and Wet Meadow Restoration
August 26, 2021
Working Lands for Wildlife researchers and scientists have spent years researching how sage grouse use the West’s mesic habitats, how best to restore those habitats, and …
News
Thinking Like Water: Working Lands for Wildlife Leads Low-Tech Mesic Restoration Efforts in Sagebrush Country
August 26, 2021
Since 2016, Working Lands for Wildlife has been trained nearly 2,000 people on low-tech mesic restoration techniques, empowering practitioners to implement riparian and wet …
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 …
Ask an Expert
Ask an Expert | Keeping it Grass: How the NRCS Helps Landowners Maintain Grasslands When CRP Contracts Expire
July 12, 2021
Join Andy Burr, NRCS-Kansas state biologist, to learn how the NRCS can help landowners turn expired CRP lands into grazing lands that maintain wildlife habitat and provide …
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
Study Demonstrates Importance of Voluntary Conservation for Grassland Birds
July 1, 2021
Study highlights how voluntary conservation protected habitat for 4.5 million grassland songbirds, and boosted populations by 1.8 million …
Ask an Expert
Ask an Expert | The Green Glacier: What is Conifer Encroachment and Why is it Bad?
June 22, 2021
Learn about the “Green Glacier,” the slow-moving expansion of conifer trees across western rangelands, in this Ask an Expert with NRCS’s Jeremy …
Podcast
Podcast: The New Great Plains Grasslands Initiative with NRCS
June 16, 2021
Learn about the USDA-NRCS’ Working Lands for Wildlife efforts and the Great Plains Grassland Initiatives in this episode of On the Wing, a podcast from Pheasants Forever and …
News
Sage Grouse Populations Grow Faster After Tree Removal
June 10, 2021
New study shows that sage grouse population growth rates are 12% higher following long-term conifer …
News
Washington Ranch Preserves Sagebrush Rangeland in Perpetuity
May 26, 2021
New conservation easement in Washington state preserves more than 2,000 acres of native sagebrush range in critical sage grouse habitat, adding to a 6,800-acre easement the …
News
The Value of Keeping it in Grass
May 26, 2021
The Burke Family’s long partnership with NRCS has led to better forage for livestock and wildlife and, in 2017, their ranch was protected in perpetuity through a …
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
Sagebrush Framework in Focus: Wildlife Conservation Through Sustainable Ranching
April 22, 2021
Dig into the Framework for Conservation Action in the Sagebrush …
News
E&E News: USDA plans aim to bolster rangeland wildlife conservation
April 21, 2021
E&E News reports on the Framework for Conservation Action in the Sagebrush Biome. Reprinted with …
News
USDA-NRCS Press Release: New Frameworks Guide Conservation Action on America’s Working Rangelands
April 6, 2021
Learn about the new Framework for Conservation Action in the Sagebrush Biome through this post and a webinar on April 8th, …
News
Healthy Rangelands Store Critical Carbon Above and Below the Surface
March 31, 2021
Learn how healthy rangelands store carbon and what WLFW is doing to ensure these rangelands remain resilient and healthy into the …
News
Working Lands Snapshot | WILDFLOWERS
March 18, 2021
Learn all about wildflowers, also called forbs, in this Western Working Lands …
News
Healthy Grass Equals Profitable Ranches
March 15, 2021
The Blair family has worked hard to make their ranch profitable and resilient which benefits wildlife and the next generation. Read all about their work with SGI and other …
News
Press Release: USDA-NRCS Announces Funding of the KS Great Plains Grasslands Initiative
March 15, 2021
Kansas producers have new funding opportunities to help address woody plant encroachment on targeted rangelands through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural …
News
A Conservation Dream Come True
March 2, 2021
This story originally appeared in Nebraskaland Magazine, the magazine of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Reposted here with permission.
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 …
News
New technology helps ranchers maximize grass production
February 17, 2021
How much forage have you lost to woody species? The Rangeland Analysis Platform can help quantify forage loss and pinpoint where to invest conservation funding. Join the NRCS …
News
A Landowner’s Journey to Using Prescribed Fire – Repost – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
December 9, 2020
Jim Jenkins worked to remove eastern redcedar trees from his Nebraska ranch for years, with limited success. Then he learned about how prescribed fire could do the work for …
News
Conservation Reserve Program Benefits Lesser Prairie-Chickens
October 21, 2020
New report highlights importance of Conservation Reserve Program grasslands for Lesser …
News
Western Working Lands Snapshot | Wet Habitat in the West
October 2, 2020
Learn about the wet, or mesic, habitats that cover 2% of the arid West but are critical to wildlife and …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | Life Cycle of Sage Grouse
September 29, 2020
Test your knowledge of the life cycle of sage grouse in this Sage Whiz …
Chicken Challenge
Take the Chicken Challenge | Prairie Habitat
September 16, 2020
Test your knowledge of lesser prairie-chicken habitat with this Chicken …
News
Ask an Expert | Curtis Elke, Idaho-NRCS State Conservationist, Talks Cheatgrass and More
September 1, 2020
View Full Size The Cheatgrass Challenge is a proactive effort to tackle annual invasive grasses and other restoration challenges across …
News
Don’t Get Cheated By Invasive Grasses
August 17, 2020
Farmers and ranchers can’t afford to ignore the economic challenges posed by …
News
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 this and other questions in this …
News
Virtual Workshop | Low-Tech Riverscape Restoration – Aug. 11-14, 2020
July 27, 2020
Join WLFW and Utah State University for a free, four-day, virtual workshop focused on low-tech, process-based riverscape …
News
New Report Highlights Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative Outcomes Since 2010
July 22, 2020
The Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative is a Working Lands for Wildlife effort that is focused on rangeland resiliency in the southern Great Plains. Check out this new report to …
News
New Report Highlights LPCI’s Outcomes Since 2010
July 21, 2020
New report details conservation outcomes from LPCI since …
News
Idaho Launches the Cheatgrass Challenge
July 8, 2020
Read all about Idaho’s new effort to tackle cheatgrass, an invasive annual grass that is causing serious issues across western …
News
Webinar Replay | Restoration of Annual Grass Invaded Landscapes
July 6, 2020
Overview of the devastating impacts of annual invasive grasses, regional scale strategies to tackle the problem, on-the-ground examples of restoration, and introduction to a …
News
Bugle Magazine | Thinking Like a Beaver
June 26, 2020
Read about how volunteer-led, low-tech, process-based restoration of streams and meadows in the west is helping restore critical habitat for elk and other wildlife in this …
News
Western Working Lands Snapshot | Pollinators
June 18, 2020
Learn all about pollination and pollinators in this Western Working Lands …
News
Webinar | Low-Tech Wet Meadow Restoration: Reading the Landscape to Recognize Opportunities
June 16, 2020
Wet or mesic habitats are rare but disproportionately important habitats within western rangelands. Gully erosion and channel incision are widespread problems reducing nature …
News
Early 2020 Webinar Replay Roundup
June 10, 2020
Webinar Roundup | Watch on-demand replays of recent sagebrush and sage grouse-focused webinars all first presented in early …
News
Ask an Expert | Mitch Faulkner, 2020 Rangeland Management Specialist of the Year, Talks Partnerships and More
May 27, 2020
Mitch Faulkner, 2020 NRCS Rangeland Management Specialist of the Year, talks about the partnerships that have advanced rangeland conservation across boundaries in South …
News
Western Working Lands Snapshot | The Great Basin
May 13, 2020
Learn about the fascinating topography, natural history, and conservation challenges within the Great Basin, a huge swath of western rangeland in Nevada, Idaho, California, …
News
Success Story | Innovative Small Business Owner Integral to Restoring Grazing Lands
May 6, 2020
Meet Cecil Swaggart, an innovative small business owner whose expertise is advancing sagebrush restoration in the …
Chicken Challenge
Take the Chicken Challenge | Conifers
April 14, 2020
Test your knowledge of conifers and their impacts to grasslands in our latest Chicken …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | Conifers
April 10, 2020
Test your knowledge of conifer trees and how they impact sagebrush and grassland …
News
Montana Outdoors Magazine Article | The Herd and the Bird
March 20, 2020
Magazine Article | This article originally appeared in the March-April 2020 issue of Montana Outdoors, the magazine of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. It is reposted here with …
News
SGI’s “Ranching First” Approach Proves Key to Protecting Ranch in Washington
March 10, 2020
View Full Size The Keane Ranch is now protected from development in perpetuity thanks to a conservation easement supported, in …
News
Ask an Expert | When it comes to sage grouse habitat: Don’t sweat the small stuff
February 27, 2020
Ask a Expert | When it Comes to Sage Grouse Habitat, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: A Conversation with Joe Smith, Working Lands for Wildlife …
News
Ask an Expert | How Does Grazing Affect Native Pollinators
February 20, 2020
Join Gabrielle Blanchette for a deep dive into the role native pollinators play in rangelands and how grazing can impact these critical components of a healthy …
News
PHEASANTS FOREVER Magazine | Of Partners, Promises and Prairie Treasures
February 13, 2020
Magazine Story | Pheasants Forever’s Spring 2020 Journal of Upland Conservation features how the nonprofit works with SGI and other partners to benefit a variety of grouse …
News
PHEASANTS FOREVER Magazine | Of Partners, Promises and Prairie Treasures – LPCI
February 13, 2020
Magazine Story | Pheasants Forever’s Spring 2020 Journal of Upland Conservation features how the nonprofit works with LPCI and other partners to benefit a variety of grouse …
News
Ask an Expert | The Science Behind Private Lands Conservation: A Conversation with Dr. David Naugle, Working Lands for Wildlife Science Advisor
January 21, 2020
Learn more about WLFW’s approach to science, how the coproduction of science benefits private-lands conservation and what’s next for the Western WLFW science …
News
Nature’s Engineers: How Beavers Boost Streamflows and Restore Habitat
January 13, 2020
Almost like magic…How beavers boost streamflows and restore habitat with a little help from …
News
Transforming Rangeland In Kansas’ Gyp Hills
November 25, 2019
Working together with conservation partners, a landowner and livestock producer restore prairie grazing lands in the southern Great …
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 …
News
Low tech riparian restoration hits the ground in Idaho
November 6, 2019
In Idaho, low-tech stream restoration is taking off, thanks in part, to SGI’s workshops and education …
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
Quantifying Outcomes Improves Conservation Effectiveness
October 8, 2019
Since 2012, Working Lands for Wildlife has partnered with the Conservation Effects Assessment Project to co-produce 37 peer-reviewed studies that measure conservation …
News
Western Working Lands Snapshot | Grasslands
September 24, 2019
Join us for a new series focused on the natural history, wildlife, and people on the West’s working lands. This innagural post focuses on …
Ask an Expert
Why You Should Know About the Eastern Redcedar Science Literacy Project
September 23, 2019
Ask an Expert | What is the Eastern Redcedar Science Literacy Project and Why You Should Know About It – An interview with Dr. Dirac Twidwell of University of the …
News
Cutting to the Chase: Long-Term Success of Conifer Removal Depends on Both Cutting and Burning
September 10, 2019
Ask an Expert | How to use cutting and burning to most effectively restore sagebrush ecosystems experiencing conifer …
News
Birds of a Feather on Working Lands
August 20, 2019
Read about how Working Lands for Wildlife is benefiting the golden-winged warbler and the greater sage grouse, two bird species that have more in common than …
News
Working Lands for Wildlife Initiatives Benefit Songbirds Too!
July 19, 2019
Science to Solutions | New research shows that prairie songbirds benefit from lesser prairie-chicken-focused conservation …
News
Conserving prairies for chickens helps millions of songbirds too
July 18, 2019
Science to Solutions | New research shows that implementing conservation practices like prescribed grazing increases songbird populations in the southern Great Plains, while …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | Ranching
July 8, 2019
How much do you know about ranching in the West? Take this Sage Whiz Quiz and test your ranching …
News
How do lesser prairie-chickens like mesquite removal? Ask an Expert with Dr. Christian Hagen
July 2, 2019
Dr. Christian Hagen discusses his new research on mesquite trees, lesser prairie-chickens and how science can help inform the most effective places to invest restoration …
News
Western Working Lands for Wildlife 2019 Workshop – Rangeland Resiliency
June 25, 2019
Read about the workshop and conference in Twin Falls, Idaho and follow along with the second-day field tour across Idaho and …
Podcast
Podcast: Sage Grouse Biology, Habitat, and How to Hunt Them
June 25, 2019
The On the Wing podcast talks with WLFW’s Tim Griffiths and Pheasant Forever’s Ron Leathers and Michael Brown about Working Lands for Wildlife’s conservation efforts that …
News
Sustainable Ranching in Utah: A Boon For Wildlife And Livestock
June 12, 2019
Sustainable Ranching in Utah: A Boon for Wildlife and Livestock | Read how Stephen and Kris Ellis keep their family tradition alive and strong on the Circle Bar …
News
Sage Grouse Populations Grow When Conifers are Removed
May 14, 2019
Ask an Expert – Andrew Olsen explains his research that shows sage grouse populations rise 12% following sustained and targeted conifer …
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 …
News
Conversation with Rangeland Management Specialist of the Year, Rebecca Knapp
April 24, 2019
In February, the Society for Rangeland Management awarded Rebecca Knapp its highest honor, Rangeland Management Specialist of the Year. We sat down with Knapp to discuss her …
Chicken Challenge
Take the Chicken Challenge | Lesser Prairie-Chickens
April 18, 2019
Learn fun facts and test your lesser prairie-chicken knowledge with our Chicken Challenge …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | Elk
April 16, 2019
Take this Sage Whiz Quiz to test your knowledge of …
News
New Manual for Low-Tech Riparian Restoration
April 10, 2019
Low-tech riverscape restoration manual available for FREE. Download now and implement these low-tech, low-cost stream restoration …
News
Conservation Successes – 2018 LPCI Scorecard
April 2, 2019
The new 2018 LPCI Scorecard highlights our conservation achievements since …
News
Conservation Success – 2018 SGI Scorecard
April 2, 2019
Check out SGI’s 2018 Scorecard to see how we’ve done against the milestones we set in …
News
Woody Invasion in the Great Plains Diminishes Water Resources
March 26, 2019
Science to Solutions – New research details impacts to water from encroaching eastern redcedar and other conifers on landscapes in the Great …
News
Woody Invasion Impacts Water on Great Plains
March 26, 2019
Science to Solutions – New research details impacts to water from encroaching eastern redcedar and other conifers on landscapes in the Great Plains. Similar impacts occur on …
News
Conservation Insight Report Confirms LPCI Projects Benefit Birds and Ranchers
March 21, 2019
New Conservation Insight Report Confirms LPCI Projects Benefit Chickens and …
News
Conservation Insight Report Confirms Benefits of Conifer Removal
March 21, 2019
New report from the Conservation Effects Assessment Project confirms multiple benefits of removing encroaching …
News
Watch Working Lands For Wildlife Presentations from 2019 Society for Range Management Conference
March 19, 2019
Working Lands for Wildlife video presentations from the 2019 Society for Range Management Conference featuring new technologies that can help improve rangeland management in …
News
Our Amazing Grasslands Video – The Conner Ranch
March 19, 2019
New video highlights the Conner Ranch in Belle Fourche, South Dakota where Dan and Cindi Conner have worked with SGI and other partners to improve their ranch for sage grouse …
News
Patterns in Rangeland Productivity and Land Ownership and What They Mean for Conservation
March 6, 2019
Ask an Expert: Dr. Brady Allred, Associate Professor of Rangeland Ecology, University of Montana | Patterns in Rangeland Productivity and Land Ownership and What They Mean for …
News
WEBINAR: Mapping Cross-Scale Transitions in Rangelands
February 21, 2019
WEBINAR | February 26, 2019 | 2 PM ET – Mapping Cross-Scale Transitions in Rangelands – Learn how the powerful Rangelands Analysis Platform can help improve rangeland …
News
Conserving Diverse Wet Habitats Keeps Western Rangelands Resilient
February 13, 2019
New research highlights the importance of mesic resources for sage grouse and other wildlife …
News
How Do Mule Deer Use Sagebrush?
February 5, 2019
Miles Moretti of the Mule Deer Foundation tells us how mule deer use sagebrush country and why MDF is partnering to conserve western …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | Sagebrush
January 17, 2019
Take this 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
How Can Emerging Technology Help Conserve Rangeland?
December 5, 2018
Research scientist Dr. Matthew Jones explains how cloud computing and machine learning are changing the way we visualize and manage …
News
Grazed Rangelands Produce Sage Grouse Chicks’ Preferred Food
November 26, 2018
New research shows that grazing lands grow more bugs for birds to …
News
Oregon Ranchers Sustain “Heart Of The Desert”
November 12, 2018
Maintaining an “emerald island” in the middle of the desert is no small task. Here’s how the Fitzgeralds do it on their Oregon …
News
Beavers, Water, and Fire—A New Formula for Success
November 6, 2018
National Wildlife Federation Blog | Low-tech stream restoration works wonders for people and …
News
#FridaysOnTheFarm | For Future Generations of Ranchers and Sage Grouse
November 2, 2018
Meet David Sceirine, a rancher protecting key wildlife habitat on his family’s ranch near Bridgeport Valley, …
News
Partnering To Conserve A Sagebrush Landscape
October 24, 2018
Innovative partnerships with private landowners and public land managers on working rangelands in Southwest Montana are conserving sagebrush …
News
New Nevada Agreement Paves The Way For Landscape-Scale Conservation
October 18, 2018
Public and private partners in Nevada sign a landmark agreement that leverages funding across state, federal, and private property to accelerate sagebrush …
News
Low-Tech Riparian And Meadow Restoration Keeps Rangelands Greener Longer
October 8, 2018
New research shows low-tech restoration methods increased vegetation productivity by 25% and kept plants greener longer, resulting in greater …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | Water In The West
September 28, 2018
Test your knowledge about precious wet habitat on America’s arid western …
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
New Technology For Landowners And Resource Managers Revolutionizes Rangeland Monitoring
September 18, 2018
by Justin Fritscher, NRCS | New free app provides the first-ever vegetation cover maps for rangelands from the Great Plains to the Pacific …
News
WEBINAR | Rangeland Analysis Platform: Introducing a free, online tool to help manage and monitor western rangelands
September 12, 2018
RAP is a free, online tool that helps landowners and natural resource managers track vegetation through time and plan actions to improve America’s grazing …
News
Running The Ranch
August 30, 2018
By Tim Griffiths | Pickup trucks, working dogs, cowboy hats, and running shoes. These were the diverse sights this past Saturday at the Montana Ranch …
News
What Is Low-Tech Stream Restoration?
August 27, 2018
River expert Joe Wheaton explains how simple, cost-effective, hand-built structures are helping repair streams across the …
News
Meet Leah Mori: Helping Ranchers Weather Wildfire Storms in Nevada’s Sagebrush Sea
August 20, 2018
This story features Leah Mori, a soil conservation technician in Winnemucca, Nevada, who is combating the twin threats of wildfire and …
News
Range Conservation Across Continents: What Australia and America Have In Common
August 6, 2018
Field tour in Wyoming illustrates how voluntary conservation strategies working on behalf of America’s sage grouse can also help Australia’s …
News
#ConservationRoadtrip | Taking No-Till To The Next Level
July 30, 2018
With help from NRCS, Montana rancher returns cropland to permanent grasses and forbs to provide forage for livestock and sage …
News
High School Students Help Restore Montana Sagebrush
July 12, 2018
Partners come together — including youth field crews — to improve working lands for wildlife in southwest …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | How Are Weeds Linked To Wildfire?
July 2, 2018
Take this quiz to test your knowledge of how invasive annual grasses are linked to wildfires in the …
News
Combatting Cheatgrass On Private Ranch Lands In Wyoming Benefits Sage Grouse
July 1, 2018
Learn how Wyoming landowner DeWitt Morris is working with the NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative to create a model for other ranchers on how to thwart invasive cheatgrass on …
News
NEW Story Map Highlights Rural Communities & Positive Partnerships
June 28, 2018
Check out this new story map that highlights the people working together across sagebrush rangeland to protect the places that matter to …
News
Lessons & Photos from SGI’s 8th Annual Workshop: Combating Wildfire & Weeds
June 18, 2018
The 2018 SGI field tour and presentations focused on cooperative, science-based conservation that’s working to thwart fire and invasives in sagebrush …
News
NEW REPORT: Recommendations For Reducing The Spread Of Weeds & Wildfire
June 13, 2018
New report pinpoints gaps in combatting invasive grasses and wildfires across vast sagebrush rangelands in the western …
News
#FridaysOnTheFarm: Restoring Sagebrush Country With ‘Modern Wildfire’
June 8, 2018
Through the Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI), private landowners across Eastern Oregon are volunteering to perform proactive conservation treatments on their rangeland to promote …
News
Starter Guide For Healing Degraded Meadows With Hand-Built Structures In Sagebrush Country
June 4, 2018
New NRCS Technical Note provides a case study from Colorado’s Gunnison Basin to help partners replicate cost-effective watershed restoration …
News
Wildfire and Weeds: 5 Things Ranchers Should Know
May 29, 2018
Here is what you should know about invasive weeds–which lead to wildfires out West–and how to combat …
News
NEW SCIENCE: Visualizing Sage Grouse Habitat As “Hubs & Spokes”
May 17, 2018
New research helps prioritize sage grouse conservation by ranking the importance of leks to the species’ overall genetic connectivity across the range, likening certain areas …
News
Idaho Models “3 C’s”: Collaboration, Cooperation, Conservation
May 8, 2018
In Idaho, agencies and landowners are working together across boundaries to restore sagebrush …
News
What Causes Wildfires In The West?
April 23, 2018
Wildfires are now more frequent and more intense in sagebrush country. Learn why (and how to reduce fire risk) from BLM fire planner Darcy …
News
WEBINAR – Grazing To Maintain Perennial Bunchgrasses And Reduce Exotic Annuals
April 2, 2018
This webinar will discuss the benefits of altering timing of grazing to reduce annuals and maintain perennial bunchgrasses. It will also discuss the detrimental impacts of …
News
WEBINAR – Herbicides Cheatgrass Control: What Works?
March 26, 2018
This webinar will cover existing products that are effective and how they are applied in different situations. It will also introduce new emerging …
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
Study Shows It Pays To Treat Invasive Grass On Your Ranch
March 7, 2018
An economics study from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oregon shows that the earlier ranchers treat cheatgrass, the greater their financial …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | What The Heck Is A Lek?
March 5, 2018
How much do you know about the best mating dance in the West? Test your knowledge about sage grouse lekking season …
News
Research Says, Adjusting Grazing Practices Can Improve Prairie-Chicken Habitat
February 27, 2018
SCIENCE TO SOLUTIONS: A new study by researchers at Kansas State University identifies specific grazing practices that create the varied grassland habitat structure that …
News
WEBINAR – Cheatgrass control methods and impacts on perennial grass abundance: A systematic review spanning 64 years
February 23, 2018
Reducing cheatgrass has been a primary research topic and goal of ecological restoration for over 50 years. Our work examined published studies between 1946 and 2012 to …
News
30 Videos Now Available on Science & Management in Sagebrush Country
February 15, 2018
View free, on-demand replays on YouTube of educational presentations about the science and management of sagebrush …
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
Montana Ranchers Improve Sage Grouse Habitat And Reduce Fire Risk
February 8, 2018
By Hayden Nelson, SGI Range Conservationist, Roundup, Montana NRCS Field Office | Landowners are partnering with the Sage Grouse Initiative to restore sagebrush habitat 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
Why Is Cheatgrass Bad?
January 30, 2018
Mike Pellant with the Bureau of Land Management explains how cheatgrass and wildfire create a vicious cycle that harms wildlife and our way of life in the West … and gives …
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
Free Live-Broadcast of Special Symposia from Society for Range Management Conference
January 12, 2018
When: Jan 30 & Feb 1, 2018 Hosts: NRCS-SGI, IWJV, BLM, SRM, USU Watch free on-demand replays of the presentations …
News
The Conservation Gift That Benefits Us For Countless Years to Come
January 4, 2018
by Brianna Randall | Conserving our natural resources is one of the ways we can give back to our children, communities, and economy for years to come. And the gift that keeps …
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
Webinar: Effects Of Livestock Grazing On Sage Grouse Nesting Ecology
December 28, 2017
When: Wednesday, February 7, 2018 | 10:00 – 11:00 am PST Host: NRCS West National Technology Support Center Click here to view the On-Demand …
News
Seeing the Prairie From a Coyote’s Eye View
December 27, 2017
FIELD REPORT; What does the prairie look like from a coyote’s eye view, and why does that matter to lesser prairie-chickens? LPCI range conservationist Marina Osier, based in …
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
A Tale of Two Fires: Prescribed Fire Thwarts Wildfire on the New Mexico Prairie
November 29, 2017
NEWS: Two lightning-caused wildfires on the same site in eastern New Mexico yielded profoundly different results. Why? Prescribed fire played a key …
News
Taking the Bias Out of Sage Grouse Nesting Studies
November 27, 2017
This new Science to Solutions shows that grass height may not be as crucial to nesting success as previously thought, since hatched nests are measured later than failed …
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
New Science: When Trees Are Cut, Grasses & Shrubs Return
November 14, 2017
Research shows that conifers decrease the native sagebrush grasses and shrubs that wildlife and livestock rely on, and confirms that forage comes back when trees are …
News
Working With Water: Restoring Wet Meadows in the Sage
November 9, 2017
By Sarah Keller for IWJV | In Montana, land managers and conservationists learned how to restore wet meadows for people and …
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
BUGLE Magazine | Sage Grouse + Elk = Peanut Butter & Jelly
October 19, 2017
Bugle Magazine, a publication of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, published this feature story on the value of conserving sagebrush country in its Nov/Dec 2017 …
News
BEEF Magazine | Rest-Rotation Grazing Helps Sage Grouse Survival
October 16, 2017
Pastures that use Sage Grouse Initiative rest-rotation grazing programs produce plentiful bugs, which is a good deal for cattle and sage grouse …
News
Keeping the Grass in CRP Grasslands—LPCI and the Dust Bowl legacy
October 9, 2017
LPCI NEWS: The Dust Bowl’s legacy has profoundly shaped ranching and wildlife conservation in the southern Great Plains. LPCI helps ranchers like Abell keep grasslands in …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | What Do You Know About Sage Grouse Chicks?
October 5, 2017
Find out fun facts about our favorite baby birds, and test your natural history …
News
Texas Ranchers Gather for How-to on Wildlife-Friendly Grasslands
October 5, 2017
NEWS: More than 40 agricultural producers gathered recently at Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in Texas for an LPCI workshop on managing rangelands to improve wildlife …
News
Introducing ‘Sagebrush Connections’, A Magazine About Proactive Conservation Partnerships
October 3, 2017
by Thad Heater | The inaugural issue of our new partnership magazine focuses on conserving water resources in sagebrush …
News
New Kansas Conservation Easement Protects Lesser Prairie-chickens
September 26, 2017
NEWS: The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has finalized permanent conservation agreements with three private landowners to conserve 3,682 acres of …
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 …
News
Fire + Grazing Reduces Wildfire Fuels, Helps Prairie-Chickens, New Research Shows
September 25, 2017
NEWS: New research shows that patch-burn grazing, which mimics historic patterns of fire and grazing, significantly reduces wildfire fuels. What’s more, it creates the kind of …
News
Local Partners Mimic Beavers To Restore Streams In Wyoming
September 22, 2017
SGI field conservationist Mandi Hirsch shares emerging “beaver dam analogue” technology with local partners, which is paying dividends for working lands and wildlife near …
News
Final Report Released on 2017 Lesser Prairie-Chicken Aerial Survey
September 18, 2017
The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has released the detailed report of the 2017 aerial survey of lesser prairie-chickens. Read all about …
News
Webinar: Estimating The Economic Impact Of Sage Grouse Conservation On Ranches
September 15, 2017
When: Friday, September 29, 2017 | 10:00 AM MST Host: University of Wyoming Watch the On-Demand Replay …
News
Digital Storefront Tells Stories of Public Land Sagebrush Partnerships
September 13, 2017
A new website, PartnersInTheSage.com, tells stories of how collaborative public-private sagebrush conservation benefits people, wildlife, and communities in the …
News
Military, Conservationists, Rancher Join Forces For Economy And Wildlife In Nevada
September 12, 2017
The NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative partners with the Dept. of Defense and others to conserve the Smith Creek Ranch in the heart of Nevada’s sagebrush …
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
Inmates Are Growing Sagebrush in Western Prisons for Wildlife Conservation
September 8, 2017
By Ben Long in Outdoor Life | People incarcerated in state prisons in the West are working to help secure the future of the native big game and game birds of the American …
News
New Conservation Agreements Protect Lesser Prairie-Chicken Habitat
August 29, 2017
NEWS: The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has finalized permanent conservation agreements with a private landowner to conserve high-quality lesser …
News
Grazing Management In Perspective: A Compatible Tool For Sage Grouse Conservation
August 28, 2017
New research shows that — done right — livestock grazing may help conserve sage grouse habitat by keeping working ranches profitable and …
News
COOL GREEN SCIENCE | The Stream Whisperer Restores Sage Grouse Habitat
August 23, 2017
by Brianna Randall | Bill Zeedyk teaches Westerners how to “think like water” to restore precious wet habitat in the sagebrush …
News
New State of the Birds Report: Farm Bill Pays Off For People & Birds
August 10, 2017
The Farm Bill is America’s single largest source of conservation funding for private lands. The 2017 ‘State of the Birds’ report shows the many benefits its programs have …
News
USDA Releases Five-Year Strategy to Boost Forest Health and Help Golden-winged Warbler
August 9, 2017
NEWS: A new five-year conservation strategy details efforts to support private landowners managing for healthier forests in the Appalachian Mountains. It’s part of an ongoing …
News
Ranch Conservation Partnership Thrives In Eastern Montana
August 7, 2017
by Leo Barthelmess | Ranchers working with the NRCS and others are helping sustain and improve habitat in a way that also improves ranch …
News
New Framework Helps Plan Next Generation Of Sagebrush Restoration
August 2, 2017
Innovative new research on conifer removal spans the life cycle of sage grouse, helping managers increase the efficiency of future work to restore sagebrush …
News
New Video Shows how LPC Range-wide Plan Works For Wildlife and Landowners
July 31, 2017
NEWS: The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has released a new video show how the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan is conserving habitat for …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | Do You Know Your Western Roots?
July 24, 2017
Test your knowledge of plants that live on sagebrush rangelands, and learn fun facts about native plants’ root systems in the American …
News
Latest Science Reveals Most Effective Conifer Removal Treatments
July 13, 2017
New research on conifer cutting and prescribed burning helps resource managers and landowners plan sagebrush conservation projects that deliver the best results for the bird …
News
Webinar: Partnering with Beaver to Benefit Sage Grouse and Working Lands – Restoring Emerald Islands in the Sagebrush Sea
July 10, 2017
When: Wednesday, July 26, 2017, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. EST Host: Association of State Wetland Manager Click here to watch the on-demand …
News
Aerial Surveys Confirm Lesser Prairie-Chicken Population Holding Steady
July 7, 2017
NEWS: Results are in for the 2017 lesser prairie-chicken aerial survey, and they’ve brought welcome news. The survey indicates an estimated breeding population of 33,269 …
News
Meet Greg: A Sagebush Habitat Hero
June 27, 2017
by Jodi Stemler | Check out this multimedia story about how an SGI-enrolled rancher is leading the way in stewarding working lands and wildlife on his ranch in Colorado’s …
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 …
News
Prairie-chicken Restoration Efforts Take Flight in Southeast Colorado
June 19, 2017
LPCI NEWS RELEASE: Why did the lesser prairie-chicken cross the state line? If Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) biologists are successful, the answer will be to …
News
Keeping Water In Colorado’s Gunnison Basin
June 12, 2017
A collaborative partnership using innovative techniques to restore wet meadows in the Gunnison Basin is paying off for people and …
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
Research Sheds Light on Nocturnal Habits of Lesser Prairie-Chickens
June 6, 2017
NEWS: Until recently, scientists had very little data on the bird’s after-hours behavior and habitat preferences. Researchers from Oklahoma State University are filling int he …
News
Animal Tales: A Great White Sage Grouse
June 5, 2017
by Tracie Fernandez | Learn how this puffed-up male sage grouse achieved its rare (lack of) color … and whether it might work to attract females, …
News
Video Series on Conserving Water in Sage Country
May 31, 2017
by Hannah Ryan | This three-part video series helps ranchers and partners learn about resources available for conserving precious wet habitat in the …
News
Wildlife Journal Spotlights Lesser Prairie-Chicken Conservation
May 15, 2017
NEWS: Lesser prairie-chickens take top billing in the latest issue of The Wildlife Professional, trade journal of The Wildlife Society, an international scientific and …
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
“Ranching Gone Right,” Thanks To Partners Like The Nature Conservancy
May 8, 2017
As a valued partner in the Sage Grouse Initiative, The Nature Conservancy works with landowners across the range on innovative grazing systems, conservation easements, and …
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
New Science: Sage Grouse Population Increases When Western Juniper Pushed Back
April 27, 2017
A new study funded in part by the NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative found that survival rates of both female sage grouse and their nests increased where encroaching juniper …
News
Wildhorse Ranch Project: A Win-Win Partnership To Protect Sagebrush Range
April 21, 2017
Innovative conservation easement with ranchers, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Nevada Dept. of Wildlife, and NRCS preserves agricultural working lands, wildlife habitat, and …
News
How Do Conservation Easements Work?
April 20, 2017
In Montana, landowners have partnered with local land trusts to conserve 2 million acres. Expert Lisa McCauley from NRCS explains why easements work for ranchers and …
News
New Mexico Range Managers Put Science to Work for Prairie-Chickens
April 14, 2017
LPCI NEWS RELEASE: For wildlife biologist Randy Howard, a new mapping tool developed by lesser prairie-chicken researchers is an essential part of restoring habitat for …
News
New USFWS Collaboration Expands Science Tools To Sage-Steppe
April 10, 2017
Thanks to partners like the USFWS, the outlook is brighter for maintaining intact, healthy sagebrush habitat for 350+ species and the hundreds of communities that depend on …
News
Water Is Life: Introducing SGI’s Mesic Habitat Conservation Strategy
April 5, 2017
The NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative is proud to announce a new conservation strategy that empowers private ranchers and partners to protect and enhance the wet green places …
News
Lessons from the Heath Hen
April 3, 2017
From the failed attempt to save heath hens from extinction, we learned the importance of early intervention…and laid the groundwork for cooperative conservation of other …
News
Sage Grouse Need Intact Landscapes For Long-Distance Movement
March 28, 2017
New science shows that keeping big landscapes healthy and connected is essential for maintaining bigger-than-expected sage grouse …
News
10 Things You Can Do for Lesser Prairie-Chickens
March 14, 2017
NEWS: Whether or not you own prairie habitat, there’s still a whole lot you can do on behalf of lesser prairie-chickens and other prairie wildlife …
News
Operation Sage-Grouse: NWF Connects Youth and Conservation
March 13, 2017
Check out this video from the National Wildlife Federation on win-win partnerships that are making the skies safer for sage grouse through fence …
News
Lessons from the Heath Hen
March 11, 2017
NEWS: Eighty-five years ago today, the last living heath hen was seen for the last time. Though the effort to save the heath hen was unsuccessful, it laid the groundwork for …
News
Chords For Conservation: Music Inspired By The Sagebrush Sea
March 6, 2017
Listen to this just-released song by the River Whyless — featuring a new instrument created in honor of the sage grouse — which was inspired by the band’s experiences in the …
News
Easement Conserves Habitat For Gunnison Sage-Grouse in Colorado
February 27, 2017
The NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative helps fund conservation easement that keeps prime ranchland open and protects wildlife for generations to …
News
Chickens and Woody Encroachment: Research Presentations Available for Viewing
February 22, 2017
NEWS: On January 29, the Society for Range Management hosted an full-day symposium on the effects of woody encroachment on western grouse. The research presentations are now …
News
Now Available! Online Replay Of Scientific Presentations On Woodland Expansion
February 21, 2017
Watch free 20-minute presentations featuring the latest science on how removing invading conifers boosts water availability, forage production, and grouse …
News
Rancher K.D. Leander Leaves A Conservation Legacy in Eastern Washington
February 14, 2017
This late rancher’s early adoption of range conservation practices encouraged his neighbors to also enroll in Sage Grouse Initiative programs. Learn …
News
Brave Sage Grouse Strike Out Solo Over Long Distances
February 9, 2017
New research shows that a few individual greater sage-grouse travel more widely travel than anyone suspected, which makes the overall population …
News
Webinar: Cheap and Cheerful Stream and Riparian Restoration | Beaver Dam Analogues As Low-Cost Tool
February 7, 2017
When: March 22, 2017 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm EST Host: USDA NRCS Science and Technology Click here to watch the On-Demand …
News
Webinar: Off-Site Water for Riparian Health and Livestock Performance
February 3, 2017
When: February 14, 2017 | 9-10 am PST Host: NRCS West Technology Center Click here to watch the On-Demand …
News
What Do Sage Grouse Do All Winter?
February 1, 2017
Sage grouse are tough birds, surviving through cold winters in western North America. Learn how they thrive, even during the harshest …
News
Free Live-Broadcast Symposium: Impacts of Woodland Expansion at the Society for Range Management Conference
January 27, 2017
When: Jan. 31, 2017 in St. George, Utah Featuring 20 presentations on reducing woodland expansion! Click here for the On-Demand …
News
Conifer Removal Boosts Sage Grouse Success
January 26, 2017
New research shows that 86% of hens avoided nesting in sagebrush habitat invaded by conifers. Luckily, the studies also show that removing conifers in otherwise high-quality …
News
Helping Texas Ranchers and Wildlife, One Plan at a Time
January 24, 2017
NEWS: NRCS Range Management Specialist Clint Rollins works one-on-one with agricultural producers in the Texas Panhandle to develop conservation plans that benefit wildlife …
News
$8 Million Fund Created to Improve Water Quality and Conserve Greater Sage-Grouse in the Eastern Sierra
January 20, 2017
Both the Bi-State population of greater sage-grouse and agricultural ranchlands will benefit from a just-announced $8 million USDA investment in California and …
News
Symposium: Identifying and Managing Threats to Great Basin Greater Sage-Grouse Populations
January 20, 2017
When: Tuesday, February 7, 2017 8:30am to 5:00pm Where: Peppermill Resort, Reno, Nevada Host: The Wildlife …
News
Science Reveals Sage Advice: Cut (the Right) Trees to Save Bird and Herd
January 16, 2017
New research shows that removing conifers can restore habitat for at-risk grouse as well as improve water availability and forage production for …
News
Webinar: Living with Beavers | Tools for Coexistence
January 16, 2017
When: January 24, 2014 | 9-10am PST Host: NRCS West Technology Center Click here to watch the On-Demand …
News
Rangeland Science Journal Publishes Special Issue On Woody Plant Encroachment
January 12, 2017
PRESS RELEASE: This month, the Society for Range Management’s scientific journal, Rangeland Ecology & Management, released a special issue focused entirely on the …
News
Science to Solutions: Mesquite Encroachment Impacts Lesser Prairie-Chickens
January 10, 2017
PRESS RELEASE: New research study quantifies the significant impacts of honey mesquite encroachment on lesser prairie-chickens in the southern Great Plains. Read more …
News
Rangeland Science Journal Publishes Special Issue On Reducing Woodland Expansion
January 10, 2017
The latest research — published in this month’s special issue of SRM’s Rangeland Ecology & Management science journal — shows the benefits of removing conifers for grouse, …
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
Webinar: Rangeland Management Strategies and Tools – Promoting Resiliency and Addressing Invasive Species
December 23, 2016
When: Thurs., Jan. 12, 9:30 to 11:00AM MST Host: Western Governors’ Association Watch the On-Demand …
News
Guzzling Water & Planting Sagebrush | What’s Happening For Sage Grouse On Public Land In Montana
December 20, 2016
Since half of all habitat for greater sage-grouse is on public land, most of it managed by BLM, restoring public rangeland is vital for the birds to thrive. Check out these …
News
A New Approach For Turning Science Into Action
December 13, 2016
Learn more about the “coproduction of actionable science.” At the Sage Grouse Initiative, it means a lot of phone calls, coffee chats, field tours, and honest conversations …
News
Oregon Rancher Mike Greeley Enhances Mahogany Mountain For The Bird And The Herd
December 6, 2016
Rancher Mike Greeley uses conservation-minded management to sustain his working lands in eastern Oregon for wildlife and livestock. Check out this video of Mike on his …
News
Fun Fact Friday: To Migrate Or To Staycation
December 2, 2016
by Nancy Patterson, BLM | Learn which birds head south and which birds make their home on the sagebrush range during the chilly winter …
News
NRCS to Expand Targeted Conservation Effort for Wildlife on Agricultural Lands
November 30, 2016
NEWS: From the northern bobwhite to trout and salmon, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is adding dozens of new target species to its Working Lands For Wildlife …
News
Colorado Ranchers Tap Sun To Deliver Water To Livestock & Improve Wildlife Habitat
November 23, 2016
by Michael Neary | Solar-powered water systems, installed with funding from SGI in Colorado, let livestock drink more easily and take pressure off ponds and …
News
Comprehensive ‘Ecosystem Resilience & Resistance’ Map Available For Entire Sage Grouse Range
November 15, 2016
Newly expanded visual tool on the SGI Web App allows managers to better predict and mitigate negative impacts of fire and cheatgrass across sagebrush …
News
New Research Finds That Sage Grouse Prefer Nesting In Conifer-Free Landscapes
November 10, 2016
Scientists tracked sage grouse nest success in southern Oregon, and found that hens avoided sites where conifer cover exceeded 3% within 800m of their …
News
Tag, you’re it! How do researchers track sage grouse chicks?
November 7, 2016
Meet expert Mark Szczypinski with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. He tells us all about how to track sage grouse hens and their …
News
Realizing “The True Potential” For Working Lands And Wildlife In Sagebrush Country
November 2, 2016
The NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative continues to build field capacity, expand our science team, and strengthen partnerships across the sagebrush landscape. Read our latest …
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
Sagebrush Songbirds Under the Sage Grouse Umbrella
October 25, 2016
New songbird maps provide tools to help expand the benefits of sage grouse conservation to more wildlife species in the sagebrush community. Learn more from our latest Science …
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Healthy Range Is Productive Range For Sage Grouse, Prairie Chickens, And Cows
October 19, 2016
Sage grouse and lesser prairie-chickens both need healthy rangeland to thrive. So do cattle. Learn more about how NRCS is supporting range conservation practices that help …
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SCIENCE TO SOLUTIONS: LPCI Conservation Practices Boost Lesser Prairie-Chicken Occupancy
October 18, 2016
SCIENCE TO SOLUTIONS: A recent study—the first part of a multi-year research project—shows that lesser prairie-chicken occupancy increases in areas where landowners are …
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Roundtable: Rangeland Challenges in Western States, Wildfire and Habitat Conservation
October 17, 2016
When: Oct. 20, 2016 Hosts: Western Governors’ Association Click here to watch the …
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Collaborative Conservation Is Paying Off For The Sagebrush Ecosystem
October 5, 2016
A new joint report and story map highlight continued sagebrush conservation partnerships that are working for wildlife and ranchers in the West. Learn more about “Greater …
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New Research Provides Insights into Sage Grouse DNA
October 3, 2016
by Jennifer Hayes and Brianna Randall | New SGI research finds five genetic subpopulations of sage grouse in Montana and the Dakotas, which are synonymous with the existing …
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What’s The Difference Between Gunnison And Greater Sage-Grouse?
September 28, 2016
Did you know that Gunnison sage-grouse have longer ponytails than greater sage-grouse? Learn more about the differences between the two species from expert Marcella Fremgen, a …
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Tracking Success – 2016 Report | Maintaining Momentum To Conserve Sagebrush Country
September 22, 2016
As the Sage Grouse Initiative finishes our 6th year, we are proud to be a model for how to enhance working lands and wildlife. Check out our “Tracking Success – 2016 Report” …
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New study measures fence collision mortality, informs conservation
September 19, 2016
NEWS: A recent study of more than 1,700 miles of livestock fences in Kansas and Colorado found little evidence of fence collision mortality. Read about the report and its …
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SGI Workshop Explores ‘Cheap and Cheerful’ Riparian Restoration to Benefit Wildlife and Ranchers
September 15, 2016
At a recent SGI-sponsored workshop, practitioners from around the West learned from beavers about how to heal streams and store water longer on the range. See the photos and …
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A Special Recipe For Saving Sage Grouse | Wildlife Photographic Magazine Feature
September 13, 2016
by Brianna Randall | This multi-media story about the Sage Grouse Initiative is the feature in the new issue of Wildlife Photographic Magazine. Learn more about SGI’s …
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Report: Fence Markers Work To Prevent Sage Grouse Collisions
August 30, 2016
A new report released by the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies — and funded by an NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant — is the first study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of …
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Kennedy Ranch Conservation Improvements Benefit Both Livestock And Wildlife In Utah
August 23, 2016
In northeastern Utah, the Kennedy family’s land ethic and commitment to improving natural resources has led them to expand their ranch. Learn how SGI helped them install water …
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The Tree that Ate the West | bioGraphic Magazine
August 18, 2016
by Rebecca Heisman,bioGraphic | When mature juniper cover reaches just 4 percent—picture taking a standard checkerboard and filling in just two and a half of the …
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“It’s About Working Lands For Agriculture And Working Lands For Wildlife”
August 16, 2016
by Lori Valdez | In Lavina, Montana, the Wessel Ranch worked with the Sage Grouse Initiative to improve rangeland for their cattle and prime habitat for wildlife like sage …
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Why Grow Sagebrush Seedlings in Prisons?
August 11, 2016
The Sagebrush Project, part of the Sustainability in Prisons Project, expands the opportunities for 175 inmates in 11 prisons across 6 states by teaching them to grow …
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Latest Report Shows Promising Progress To Protect The Sagebrush Sea
August 9, 2016
This latest report chronicles the results from April through June across 11 western states, including collaborative efforts to conserve over 2.8 million acres of habitat for …
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Report: Maintaining Sagebrush-Covered Landscapes Keeps Water on the Land for Ranchers and Wildlife
August 4, 2016
by Justin Fritscher | Removing invading conifer trees improves the health of sagebrush ecosystems, providing better habitat for wildlife and better forage for livestock. And …
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Sagebrush Rangelands Help Maintain Water Availability
August 3, 2016
Water delivery is delayed by an average of nine days in sagebrush systems compared to juniper-dominated systems. Holding water later into the summer season helps the sagebrush …
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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 …
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BREAKING NEWS: BLM Signs Agreement To Expand Collaborative Sagebrush Conservation Model
July 25, 2016
A new partnership between the Bureau of Land Management and the Intermountain West Joint Venture will build on the successful model pioneered by the NRCS-led Sage Grouse …
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Delists Lesser Prairie-Chicken in Accordance with Court Order
July 20, 2016
NEWS: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) yesterday fulfilled a court ruling that had vacated its Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing decision, by officially removing …
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New Web-Based Tool Helps Save Sage Grouse From Fence Collisions
July 14, 2016
SGI’s interactive web app now features a map layer that helps land managers prioritize where to mark high-risk fences to protect birds. This user-friendly tool allows ranchers …
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The Science of Sagebrush: Measuring the Resilience of Rangelands
July 11, 2016
by Joshua Dillon | An Oregon field trip with SGI partners examines the ability of sagebrush landscapes to recover from a fire. Read the full story …
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Scientific Research Shows How To Reduce The Risk Of Crop Cultivation To Protect Sage Grouse
July 7, 2016
A new scientific study published in Biological Conservation explains how to reduce the threat of converting native sagebrush habitat into crops. Read how the research can be …
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Fire Helps Kansas Rancher Restore Redcedar-infested Grasslands
July 6, 2016
LPCI PRESS RELEASE: When Tom Carr was a boy, redcedars were a rarity on his family’s ranch lands in south-central Kansas. By the early 2000s, cedars had overtaken the …
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Latest Aerial Survey Documents Stable Lesser Prairie-Chicken Population Trends
July 6, 2016
NEWS: The 2016 lesser prairie-chicken aerial survey shows bird population trends remain fairly stable after five years of aerial survey data collection. While numbers were …
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Getting Our Hands Dirty at the 6th Annual Sage Grouse Initiative Workshop Tour
July 6, 2016
Last week, range managers, ecologists, and wildlife biologists gathered in Montana to learn from landowners what works for the bird and the herd. Check out the photo story …
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New Easements in Montana Protect the Longest Known Sage Grouse Migration Corridor
June 30, 2016
The Nature Conservancy has secured conservation easements that preserve both the West’s ranching heritage and sage-grass habitat on 25,000 acres of the Carroll Ranch. The …
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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 …
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Passion for Wild Things–A Poet’s Perspective on WLFW Conservation
June 20, 2016
Behind all the science and strategy, a deep caring for the land underlies enduring conservation efforts within the Working Lands For Wildlife program, beautifully rendered in …
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Permanent Protection for Prairie-Chicken Habitat in Kansas
June 14, 2016
NEWS: The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has finalized the purchase of approximately 30,000 acres of high-quality lesser prairie-chicken habitat in …
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Teleconference: Broader Application of Working Lands for Wildlife
June 13, 2016
Monday, June 20, 2016 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. EST Watch the On-Demand Replay of this …
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Ask An Expert | How Does Removing Conifers Help Oregon’s Grouse?
May 31, 2016
Wildlife biologist Fozz Foster works on restoring and improving habitat in Oregon’s sagebrush sea. In this ‘Ask an Expert’ interview, he tells SGI about how he works …
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Secretary Jewell Announces $10 Million for Wildfire Resilience in the West
May 24, 2016
The new funds announced today by Secretary Jewell will complement Sage Grouse Initiative’s ongoing, cooperative work to remove conifers and restore sagebrush habitat in …
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Discussion Sessions: Rangeland Fire Management, Priority Science Needs
May 16, 2016
When: May 18, 11am-1pm & May 20, 2-4pm Host: Department of the Interior Click here to …
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Symposium Replay: Putting Resilience and Resistance Concepts into Practice
May 12, 2016
Symposium presented at the ‘Sagebrush Ecosystems Conservation: All Lands, All Hands’ conference in Feb. 2016 Sponsors: Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, The …
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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, …
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Webinar: Gunnison Basin Riparian and Wet Meadow Restoration and Resilience Project
May 4, 2016
Thursday May 12, 2016 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. MST Watch the On-Demand …
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USDA Unveils Three-Year Conservation Strategy for Lesser Prairie-Chicken on Working Rangelands
April 28, 2016
Just like in sage grouse country, the recipe for success to save the lesser prairie-chicken (an iconic grassland bird of the southern Great Plains) is investing in proactive, …
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USDA Unveils Three-Year Conservation Strategy for Lesser Prairie-Chicken
April 28, 2016
LPCI PRESS RELEASE: The USDA today announced the release of a three-year conservation strategy that will guide the voluntary restoration of 500,000 acres of habitat for the …
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Oregon Ranchers Raise Cattle With A Conservation Vision
April 25, 2016
“Our belief is that we need to make things better, and leave a legacy for our kids and our grandkids and the neighborhood as a whole,” says Oregon rancher Mark Bennett. Read …
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SGI Introduces New Resources That Show Why Roots Matter in the Sage-Steppe
April 21, 2016
In the West’s sagebrush sea, most of the plant matter grows below your feet — just like an upside-down forest. SGI is releasing a new poster and postcard that show the …
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Conservation Integral At O’Tooles’ Ladder Ranch in Wyoming
April 19, 2016
Pat and Sharon O’Toole make their living by ranching on the sagebrush sea along the Wyoming-Colorado border. They raise sheep and cattle, sage grouse and trout, as well as …
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Map Layer Identifies Risk of Converting Sagebrush to Cropland
April 13, 2016
Today, the Sage Grouse Initiative is unveiling a new layer on our interactive web application that shows where the risk of cropland conversion is highest. The new “cultivation …
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Plans To Save Bi-State Sage Grouse in Nevada Gain Momentum
April 12, 2016
By Sean Whaley | “We’re ‘all in’ to make a difference for this bird over the long term,” said Thad Heater, Sage Grouse Initiative’s national coordinator, in this …
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New Science: Conifer Removal Restores Habitat for Lesser Prairie Chickens
April 4, 2016
Conifer encroachment spells bad news for birds that need intact, wide open spaces–sage grouse and lesser prairie-chickens included. This new report released by our partner, …
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New NRCS Resource Aims to Reduce Wildfire Impacts in Sage Grouse Country
March 31, 2016
A new resource released by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will help private and public land managers work collaboratively to get ahead of the curve and …
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SCIENCE TO SOLUTIONS: Redcedar Removal Restores Lesser Prairie-Chicken Habitat
March 24, 2016
SCIENCE TO SOLUTIONS: The science is in! A new study resoundingly confirms that redcedar encroachment greatly impacts lesser prairie-chickens. Our new Science to Solutions …
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Seeding Techniques for Sagebrush Community Restoration After Fire
March 22, 2016
By Jeff Ott, Anne Halford, and Nancy Shaw | This new Great Basin Fact Sheet outlines important considerations and options for post-fire seeding, including the selection of …
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Montana Outdoors Magazine | “Ranching the Best Hope for Grassland Songbirds”
March 18, 2016
by Catherine Wightman | Ranchers manage their land to sustain grass production, which benefits bovines and birds on Montana’s agricultural …
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Growing Spirit of Collaboration, Partnership & Innovation is “The West at its Best”
March 15, 2016
By Jason Weller and Larry Selzer | This opinion article by USDA-NRCS Chief Weller and The Conservation Fund President and CEO, Larry Selzer describes how the Sage Grouse …
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How Do Sage Grouse Mate?
March 14, 2016
Learn for sagebrush expert Trisha Cracroft, NRCS Idaho State Biologist, about when sage grouse congregate to strut their stuff, and why healthy sagebrush is important for hens …
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CSU Researcher’s Work Boosts Sage Grouse Conservation Project
March 9, 2016
by Mary Guiden | “The new web app and map make sure people on the ground have the best science,” says Dave Naugle, SGI Science …
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New Research + Movie: Wet Habitats On Private Lands Critical For Sage Grouse
March 7, 2016
A new study and a complementary video of two hens’ summer movements show that wet islands of green in the sagebrush sea provide vital foraging habitat for growing sage grouse …
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Webinar: Sagebrush Ecosystem Curriculum Training
March 6, 2016
When: Thursday, March 9, 2016 | 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. PST Host: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Watch the recorded webinar …
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The Progressive Rancher | Science and Tech Bolster USDA, Partners’ Conservation Work in Western States
March 3, 2016
by Heather Emmons | The Progressive Rancher published the following story about the Sage Grouse Initiative’s new interactive web application in its March 2016 issue. Read on …
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Webinar: Strategic Cheatgrass Management in Sagebrush Ecosystems
February 29, 2016
Wednesday, April 6, 2016 10:00 – 11:00 am MST Hosts: NRCS West National Technology Support Center Click here for On-Demand Webinar …
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SGI Unveils Interactive Web Application To Bolster Wildlife Conservation Work
February 23, 2016
Today, the Sage Grouse Initiative is unveiling a new tool to catalyze and improve habitat conservation efforts across the western United States. The free SGI Interactive Web …
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Conservation Working For Ranchers And Sage Grouse In The West
February 18, 2016
by The Conservation Fund | The Conservation Fund’s Wyoming Sage Grouse Campaign has conserved 15 properties in partnership with SGI and others. We are proud to partner with …
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Webinar: Birds in the Sagebrush Ecosystem
February 17, 2016
Wednesday, January 27, 2016 Host: Bird Conservancy of the Rockies Click here for On-Demand Webinar …
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Partnerships on the Range Continue to Accelerate Conservation
February 2, 2016
Our team of dedicated and enthusiastic range conservationists, wildlife biologists, and natural resource specialists make a difference for landowners and for wildlife across …
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How do Lesser Prairie-Chickens Survive the Winter?
February 2, 2016
FIELD REPORT: Biting winds, deep snows, frigid temperatures–how do prairie wildlife make it through the winter? LPCI wildlife biologist Amy Erickson reports in from Portales, …
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A Game-Changing Approach to Conservation in the West
February 2, 2016
“My neighbors have all been getting on board one by one, now that they are seeing how well it’s working,” says Oregon rancher John O’Keeffe. Read this opinion piece by …
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Tracks in the Sand
January 21, 2016
FIELD REPORT: LPCI wildlife biologist Amy Erickson explores the sand dunes of eastern New Mexico, where tracks in the sand reveal the presence of the many animals that live …
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Grazing and Sagebrush Treatments: A 25-year Case Study in Utah
January 9, 2016
The newest Science to Solutions report is based on findings from a 25-year case study on a ranch in Utah. The study shows that sustainable grazing practices and sagebrush …
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NRCS and Texas Ranchers Team up for Conservation
January 7, 2016
NEWS: By taking part in voluntary NRCS conservation planning and range practices, Texas ranchers are conserving vital habitat for lesser prairie-chickens, State …
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New Report Highlights LPCI Conservation Across the Range
January 4, 2016
LPCI PRESS RELEASE: New report highlights Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative habitat conservation successes across the lesser prairie-chicken’s range in the Southern Great …
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The Future For Sage Grouse, Elk, & the 40 Million Acres of Sagebrush They Share | Bugle Magazine
December 16, 2015
By Nicky Ouellet | This article appeared in the Jan/Feb 2016 issue of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s “Bugle” magazine, and explores how conservation efforts can benefit …
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Webinar: Grazing Strategies for Riparian and Wet Meadow Improvement in the Sagebrush Steppe
December 9, 2015
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. PST Click here for On-Demand Webinar …
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The Role of Sand Sagebrush in Prairie Grasslands
December 3, 2015
FIELD REPORT: Roll the gray-green foliage of sand sagebrush between your fingers, and you’ll catch the spicy aroma of a plant that’s an important part of the prairie …
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Human Connections Drive Habitat Conservation
December 1, 2015
By Tiffany Russell | This blog is about connecting people to talk about how wildlife and humans can thrive together. It describes a recent Ranch Conservation Tour, co-hosted …
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Woody Fuels Reduction in Wyoming Big Sagebrush Communities
November 20, 2015
By Eugene W. Schupp, Chad S. Boyd, and Shane Green | This new Great Basin Fact Sheet discusses how reducing woody plant cover can increase the production of perennial grasses …
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Texas Rancher Creates Habitat Legacy
November 19, 2015
NEWS: For third-generation farmer and rancher Steve Rader, diversity is the key to ranch sustainability. Read about how his range conservation practices are creating a …
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Assessing Impacts of Fire on Runoff and Erosion
November 18, 2015
Frederick B. Pierson, C. Jason Williams and Peter R. Robichaud | This fact sheet provides an overview of the hydrologic impacts of fire, as well as the effectiveness of …
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Seeding Big Sagebrush Successfully on Intermountain Rangelands
November 14, 2015
By Susan E. Meyer and Thomas W. Warren | This fact sheet provides land managers with state-of-the-art information on establishing big sagebrush through direct seeding, …
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Field Staff Continue to Make a Big Difference for Wildlife and People
November 3, 2015
Read the latest report that tells the conservation story of the Sage Grouse Initiative’s Strategic Watershed Action Team, and the impressive numbers behind their hard work in …
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Landowners Create Legacy Of Open Land Across The West
November 2, 2015
By Steve Holmer | The American Bird Conservancy’s blog features the Sage Grouse Initiative as a case study for how partnerships with private landowners are the key to …
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Assessing Fuel Loads in Sagebrush Steppe and PJ Woodlands
October 22, 2015
By Stephen C. Bunting and Jeff Rose | This fact sheet helps define wildland fuels and review the approaches used to assess fuel loads in the Great …
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Wind Erosion Following Wildfire in Great Basin Ecosystems
October 19, 2015
By Matthew J. Germino | Wind erosion is a problem in the Great Basin, particularly following large wildfires. This factsheet helps resource managers with a “how to” for …
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New Study on Habitat Use Yields Insights for Prairie-Chicken Management
October 14, 2015
LPCI PRESS RELEASE: A recently published research study examines factors affecting space use by female prairie-chickens at ten sites across the Great …
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Management of Aspen in a Changing Environment
October 14, 2015
By: Douglas J. Shinneman, Anne S. Halford, Cheri Howell, Kevin D. Krasnow, and Eva K. Strand | This fact sheet provides information to help identify different aspen types, …
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Kansas Rancher Puts Expired CRP Grasslands to Work for Cattle and Wildlife
October 13, 2015
LPCI PRESS RELEASE: Kansas rancher Dwight Abell is shifting his expired CRP grasslands to cattle grazing with LPCI assistance, a win-win proposition for his cattle operation …
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LPCI Partners Awarded for Conservation Efforts
October 7, 2015
LPCI PRESS RELEASE: Two Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative partners receive the Hamerstrom Award for their important contributions to prairie grouse …
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The Sage-Grouse’s Next Dance | What the Recent Decision Means for the Bird and Conservation
October 6, 2015
By Holly Copeland. “So what is your take on the sage-grouse ruling?” This beautiful dancing bird has been in my thoughts almost daily for the past nine years, as it has …
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Saving Sage Grouse | Conserving Montana’s Largest Game Bird
October 5, 2015
By Brianna Randall. Stamping my feet on the frozen ground, I waited impatiently for an elusive football-sized bird to appear in the murky pre-dawn light. A spotting scope …
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Safer Flights for Sage Grouse Over Washington State, Thanks To Dedicated Field Staff
October 2, 2015
Michael Brown, a Sage Grouse Initiative range and wildlife conservationist in Washington, forged a new connection with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners Program to …
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New LPCI Video Spotlights Conservation Reserve Program
September 22, 2015
LPCI PRESS RELEASE: How does the Conservation Reserve Program benefit lesser prairie-chickens and the private landowners who steward their habitat? A newly released 3-minute …
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Historic Conservation Campaign Protects Greater Sage-Grouse | ESA Listing Averted
September 22, 2015
An historic conservation partnership helped the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determine that the species did not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act. Now in …
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New Guide Available | Sagebrush Bird Communities in the Intermountain West
September 21, 2015
A new tool is available for land managers in sagebrush country. The Sagebrush Bird Habitat Guide, created by several of our partners, provides information on breeding habitat …
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New Study Affirms Lesser Prairie-Chicken Research Practices
September 20, 2015
NEWS: New study demonstrates that the research techniques of capture and radio-tagging do not negatively influence the survival of lesser …
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Building Bridges | Ranchers Are Stewards of the Land
September 20, 2015
In recent years, a new appreciation is taking hold in the West about the role and benefits of sustainable ranching. The article below captures the essence of why we believe …
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Ranchers and Conservationists Combine to Help Sage Grouse
September 18, 2015
Two national conservation leaders from the USDA-NRCS and the National Audubon Society co-wrote this recent editorial about how targeted, proactive conservation on agricultural …
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Texas Rancher Creates Haven for Lesser Prairie Chickens
September 14, 2015
NEWS: James Blackwell, a third-generation Texas landowner, has participated in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) since 1986, improving habitat for lesser prairie-chickens …
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New England Cottontail | Another Success Story for Proactive Voluntary Conservation
September 11, 2015
Landowners on the East Coast brought about a major success today with their voluntary conservation efforts for the New England cottontail. Partners announced that foresters …
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Sagebrush Songbirds Benefit from Sage Grouse Habitat Restoration
September 9, 2015
New research released as part of the Sage Grouse Initiative’s Science to Solutions series shows that restoring sagebrush ecosystems not only benefits ranching and sage grouse …
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Bi-Partisan Commentary | Voluntary Conservation Works Across Party Lines
September 2, 2015
A new bi-partisan commentary came out yesterday in Roll Call by Bruce Knight and Dave White, both former chiefs for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. These two …
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Sage Grouse Conservation Leaders Recognized in California & Nevada
September 1, 2015
This month, SGI and SWAT staff gathered together on the California-Nevada border to share notes, and learn from the unprecedented conservation efforts centered around the …
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New Tools For Land Managers | Predicting Vegetation Response to Treatments and Wildfire
August 31, 2015
Maintaining a resilient sagebrush steppe is job number one for sustaining sage grouse populations in the West. New tools are available to help conservationists better assess …
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New Sage Grouse Strategy Unveiled: $760 Million Invested by 2018
August 27, 2015
The Sage Grouse Initiative has enrolled 1,129 ranchers to conserve 4.4 million acres. We plan to double those numbers by 2018 with a new investment strategy that invests …
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High Country News Sage Grouse Story | The Endangered Species Act’s Biggest Experiment
August 24, 2015
High Country News senior editor Jodi Peterson does an excellent job of introducing readers to the conservation history of sage grouse, and the landscape-scale collaborative …
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Department of Defense Dedicates $2 Million to Protect Sage Grouse in Nevada
August 19, 2015
The Department of Defense announced more than $2 million in funding from the Military Services’ Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program to protect …
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Wildfire Management Strategies | New Video Shows Projects that Protect the Sagebrush Sea
August 19, 2015
A new video by Steve Stuebner shows how fire prevention policies and ambitious rangeland restoration strategies are working to protect prime sage grouse …
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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 …
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New Research Shows Grazing Plans Are Good for Grouse and for Bugs
August 17, 2015
Learn how Montana State University entomologist Hayes Goosey is studying “a mini-metropolis of arthropods” on five ranches in eastern Montana where the Sage Grouse Initiative …
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Service Learning For Sage Grouse | University Students Deliver Results in California
August 10, 2015
Last month, university students pursuing careers in natural resource conservation participated in a service-learning project that had big benefits for birds, the participants, …
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Dedicated Field Staff Make a Difference for Sage Grouse West-wide
August 5, 2015
SGI’s Strategic Watershed Action Team’s dedicated and enthusiastic range conservationists, wildlife biologists, and natural resource specialists put in place plenty of …
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Marking Fences Saves Lives in Sage Grouse Country
August 4, 2015
View Full Size The article below was adapted from this post written by Ron Francis and Lori Valadez, which appeared on the USDA …
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Success on the Range | New Montana Partnership Highlights Benefit of Cooperative Conservation
July 20, 2015
The NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative is pioneering a conservation approach that invites cooperation over conflict across the West. This recipe for success is transferable …
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Establishing Big Sagebrush and Other Shrubs from Planting Stock
July 16, 2015
Bareroot or container seedlings can be used to quickly re-establish big sagebrush and other native shrubs post-fire or other disturbances in situations where direct seeding is …
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Post-Fire Grazing Management in the Great Basin
July 16, 2015
Successful post-fire recovery hinges on the growth of perennial understory plants, especially perennial grasses that provide livestock forage and wildlife habitat. This fact …
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Fuel Breaks That Work
July 16, 2015
This fact sheet provides a framework for using established fuel breaks for protecting sagebrush ecosystems that are prone to fire due to the invasion of nonnative annual …
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Reducing Cultivation of Grazing Lands Conserves Sage Grouse
July 13, 2015
In the northeast part of sage grouse range, 70% of the best habitat is privately owned-–and the single greatest threat in this region is cultivation of native sagebrush …
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Conifer Removal in the Sagebrush Steppe
July 8, 2015
This transition from shrub steppe to woodland has broad, concerning impacts on ecosystem function and services. This fact sheet explains the “why when, where, and how” of …
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Reestablishing Perennial-Dominated Plant Communities in Medusahead-Invaded Sagebrush Rangeland
July 8, 2015
This fact sheet gives tools and strategies for reestablishing perennial-dominated plant communities in medusahead-invaded areas, which helps restore and protect vital …
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Limiting Medusahead Invasion and Impacts in the Great Basin
July 8, 2015
Limiting the spread of invasive medusahead is critical, since this non-native plant decreases biodiversity, degrades wildlife habitat, reduces livestock forage, increases the …
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Putting Resilience and Resistance Concepts into Practice
July 7, 2015
This fact sheet is designed to assist land managers in using resilience and resistance concepts to assess risks, prioritize management activities, and select appropriate …
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Aerial survey shows 25% increase in lesser prairie-chicken population
July 1, 2015
NEWS: Abundant spring rainfall, along with ongoing conservation efforts, has helped increase lesser prairie-chicken populations approximately 25 percent from 2014 to 2015, …
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Where the Sage Grouse Roam: Ranching for Conservation in Colorado
June 29, 2015
This story on Colorado rancher Wes McStay’s conservation practices comes from “Where the sage grouse roam” by Lauren Blair. This 3-part series appeared in the Craig Daily …
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Range-wide Research Effort Sheds Light on Lesser Prairie-Chickens
June 20, 2015
NEWS: This excellent feature story in Science Magazine describes the unprecedented, range-wide research effort aimed at understanding lesser prairie-chicken habits, needs, and …
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Rancher Weathers Drought with LPCI Conservation Assistance
June 11, 2015
LPCI PRESS RELEASE: Rancher Bill Barby of southwest Kansas weathered recent severe drought with the help of federal wildlife habitat enhancement programs. Read his story …
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Stories From the Range: New Report Highlights Ranchers Restoring Habitat for Sage Grouse
June 8, 2015
We are pleased to announce the arrival of the Sand County Foundation’s publication “Stories From The Range,” which features six different ranchers’ sage grouse conservation …
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National Geographic Story: Can Sage-Grouse Be Saved Without Shutting Down the West?
May 26, 2015
Last week, National Geographic Magazine featured an in-depth story on sage grouse, including SGI’s conservation efforts centered around these dwindling upland …
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Round-up of Ranching Success Stories for Sage Grouse
May 20, 2015
The NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative partners with private landowners to put in place conservation projects like these examples, which will protect the sagebrush sea, western …
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LPCI Films Stewardship in Action
May 18, 2015
FIELD REPORT: Filmmaker Jeremy Roberts recently visited southwest Kansas with LPCI staff to film exemplary land stewardship practices by ranchers. Read about the filming and …
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Pokorny Family Benefits Birds and Range on Wyoming Ranch
May 18, 2015
Sage grouse like the habitat around the Pokorny Ranch, and the Pokornys like the conservation improvements SGI helped them make on their Wyoming ranch. “They were the first …
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Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust Protects Ranch on Colorado River
May 13, 2015
Big news today from our partner: Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust! And a big thank you to the Yust family for their generosity and gift to future …
News
Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust Conserves Working Ranch in Sage Grouse Core
May 12, 2015
Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust conserves working ranch in prime sage grouse country that’s excellent habitat for mule deer, moose, pronghorn, and elk as …
News
Sage Grouse Video on ‘Oregon Field Guide’ Nominated for Emmy Award
April 27, 2015
Oregon Public Broadcasting ran an excellent video story about sage grouse on Oregon Field Guide, which is nominated for a Northwest Regional Emmy Award. The video, produced by …
News
Bay Nature Article: “What People Talk About When They Talk About Sage Grouse”
April 24, 2015
Bay Nature Magazine featured an excellent story by Eric Simons on the Bi-State sage grouse, its habitat, and how it is reshaping conservation in the U.S. SGI is proud to be …
News
Unprecedented Conservation Partnership Keeps Bi-State Sage Grouse Off Endangered Species List
April 21, 2015
On the California-Nevada state line, a geographically distinct population of sage grouse once faced a precarious future. Today, that’s changed. The decision by the USFWS that …
News
Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust: Viewing Sage Grouse on Conserved Ranch Inspires Staff
April 20, 2015
Seeing sage grouse inspires the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust —a Sage Grouse Initiative partner. CCALT has protected more than 45,000 acres of sage grouse …
News
Collaborative Approach to Sage Grouse Conservation Across the States
April 15, 2015
Capital Press article tells the story of proactive conservation underway for the sage grouse, with an emphasis on Oregon’s conservation successes for the …
News
New Science to Solutions Report: High-Resolution Maps Sharpen Focus On Sage Grouse Habitat
April 13, 2015
This new Science to Solutions report explains how a new technique called Earth Sense Technology (EST) is a cost-effective way to assesses range conditions throughout the West, …
News
Lesser Prairie-Chickens Return to the Leks
April 10, 2015
FIELD REPORT: LPCI Field Staff wildlife biologist Amy Erickson reports from eastern New Mexico on the return of lesser prairie-chickens to their booming grounds, or …
News
High-Res Maps Sharpen Focus on Sage Grouse Habitat
April 7, 2015
View Full Size Science to Solutions: High-Res Maps Sharpen Focus On Sage Grouse Habitat A new technique called Earth Sense …
News
John Deere’s “The Furrow” Magazine Features SGI Ranchers in Montana
April 6, 2015
This story on voluntary range improvements by Montana ranchers Patrick and Christy Lohof appears in the new Spring edition of John Deere’s The Furrow magazine. Read on to …
News
Western Governors’ Association Releases Major Sage Grouse Conservation Report
April 2, 2015
Western Governors’ Association report: Sage grouse conservation is producing historic results at local, state, regional and federal levels, with more commitments …
News
New SGI Science to Solutions Report: Sage Grouse Conservation Benefits Migratory Mule Deer
March 31, 2015
Sage grouse habitat conservation protects critical habitat for mule deer, according to a study highlighted in the newest Sage Grouse Initiative Science to Solutions …
News
Nevada Ranchers Take Proactive Measures in Bi-State as Listing Date Approaches: Reno Gazette Journal article
March 30, 2015
The Natural Resources Conservation Service-led Sage Grouse Initiative is part of a major proactive conservation effort, providing pinyon-juniper removal funding to help the …
News
Pinyon-Juniper Forum Played Key Role for Future of Bi-State Sage Grouse
March 26, 2015
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to announce its final decision in April on whether the Bi-State population of sage grouse will be listed as threatened under the …
News
Sage Grouse Conservation Benefits Migratory Mule Deer
March 15, 2015
This report shows how habitat conservation for sage grouse, considered an umbrella species, can also protect critical habitat for mule deer. Scientists found that sage grouse …
News
Partners & Landowners Key To Conservation: Jason Weller, Chief Of Natural Resources Conservation Service Speaks At North American Wildlife Conference
March 12, 2015
Jason Weller, chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, praised partnerships and voluntary efforts of private landowners that are critical to conservation successes …
News
Sal Palazzolo, Idaho Fish & Game, Honored for Sage Grouse Initiative Work
March 12, 2015
Sal Palazzolo, Idaho Fish & Game, earns prestigious award for Sage Grouse Initiative from Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever at today’s North American Wildlife & Natural …
News
SGI “Outcomes in Conservation” Report Demonstrates Positive Impact of $300 Million Investment in West
March 12, 2015
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today issued a report showing that since 2010 USDA and its partners in the Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) have worked with …
News
Colorado Conservation Easement Proof that Local Projects Protect Sage Grouse
March 11, 2015
In Colorado, a new conservation easement northwest of Dove Creek is being touted as an example of a grassroots effort to protect the Gunnison sage …
News
Idaho: SGI Range & Wildlife Conservationist Lara Fondow Enjoys Working With Birds & People
March 9, 2015
Lara Fondow enjoys working with birds and people. That’s why she currently works as a Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) Range and …
News
Pheasants Forever and USDA Renew Commitment to Conserve Habitat for Upland Birds
March 5, 2015
SGI partner Pheasants Forever signed on with the USDA to continue important proactive conservation efforts with private landowners, including tools that restore and protect …
News
Livestock Producers Step Up For Sage Grouse
March 3, 2015
California rancher Mike Byrne shares why sage grouse conservation is working in his community in a new Western Livestock Journal that features the latest Sage Grouse …
News
Just Add Water: Prairie Vegetation Responds to Rain
March 3, 2015
FIELD REPORT: LPCI field staff wildlife biologist Jake Swafford reports from Portales, NM, on the effect of 2014’s rains on the drought-stricken …
News
Study Shows That Fence Markers Reduce Sage Grouse Mortality in Wyoming
February 27, 2015
SGI and our partners have marked or moved 590 miles of high-risk fence to reduce bird collisions so that sage grouse can thrive in the sagebrush sea. Read on to see results of …
News
Bi-State Sage Grouse Forum Attracts Full House in Nevada
February 26, 2015
Sage grouse experts representing many stakeholders and partners of the Sage Grouse Initiative converged in Minden, Nevada, yesterday for a high-profile forum aimed at solving …
News
SGI Webinar: Intro to Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation in the U.S.
February 25, 2015
Listen as Sage Grouse Initiative range conservationist Kelsey Molloy explains how partners work to conserve the Greater Sage-Grouse in the Western …
News
Conservation Easements Protect a Special Place in Idaho
February 19, 2015
The area between the Pioneer Mountains and Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho is vitally important to sage-grouse and other wildlife. SGI has worked with 26 …
News
Collaborative Partnerships Yield Big Gains in Montana’s Centennial Valley
February 19, 2015
The collaborative Centennial Valley Collaborative Grazing Project in southwest Montana is a great example of how sage grouse conservation can be strategically met with …
News
Webinar on Sage Grouse Conservation from 2010-2015
February 18, 2015
This webinar from NRCS Chief Jason Weller shows maps and metrics detailing the remarkable conservation success story of the Sage Grouse Initiative to …
News
USDA Sage-Grouse Conservation Efforts to Continue and Grow
February 16, 2015
The NRCS Chief explains how the Sage Grouse Initiative has become a model for voluntary, incentive-based conservation at its best over the past 5 …
News
Conservation Easements in Montana Improve Sage-Grouse Migration
February 13, 2015
Recent conservation easements in Montana help maintain the sage-grouse’s longest-known migration corridor between the U.S. and …
News
Colorado partnership a win-win for livestock and sage grouse
February 3, 2015
Cooperative projects like this water delivery design with Jay Yust help both ranchers and wildlife thrive on the Colorado …
News
Keeping It Together: Large Landscape Conservation in the Upper Green River, Wyoming
January 28, 2015
A colossal voluntary effort is keeping the Intermountain West’s sagebrush steppe intact, which protects one of the highest density populations of greater sage grouse …
News
South Dakota rancher adds value to his operation and improves wildlife habitat
January 22, 2015
South Dakota Rancher Ron Steineke makes water delivery and grazing improvements that benefit his cattle along with sage grouse and other …
News
E&E News: Major Juniper Removal in Idaho to Save Sage Grouse
January 20, 2015
The Bureau of Land Management today announced plans to remove juniper trees across 1.5 million acres of southwest Idaho in hopes of beating back a major threat to the greater …
News
Major Working Ranch Conservation Easement Protects Vital Sage Grouse Habitat in NW Colorado
January 14, 2015
Sen. Michael Bennet and Gov. John Hickenlooper praise voluntary conservation that’s keeping working ranches and the state’s prime sage grouse habitat intact. The new …
News
Five Dot Ranch Sustains Sage Grouse & Produces Natural Beef in California
January 13, 2015
The Swickard family takes pride in a pasture to plate operation. Their natural beef customers support a ranch dedicated to healthy cattle and plentiful wildlife, with a focus …
News
Marking High-Risk Fences Saves Sage Grouse
December 19, 2014
Marking fences for visibility can dramatically reduce sage grouse collisions. A new mapping tool can help managers and landowners target those fences that pose the highest …
News
Delaney 44 Ranch Helps Preserve Essential Sage Grouse Habitat in Montana
December 12, 2014
Big Sky Journal’s Winter Edition- 2014, features a Sage Grouse Initiative Rancher Success Story. Meet Deb and Mike Delaney. (a version of this article first appeared in Beef …
News
International Sage-Grouse Forum Proceedings Available Free Online
December 10, 2014
If you missed the International Sage Grouse Forum last month, you can now listen to the proceedings free online, thanks to Utah State …
News
Wildfire and Cheatgrass: New Science Helps Reduce Threats to Sage Grouse
November 22, 2014
Wildfires and the invasion of exotic annual grasses like cheatgrass can transform large expanses of sagebrush habitat, which is bad for sage grouse. This new strategy serves …
News
Masini family Preserves Lush Oasis for Bi-State Sage Grouse in Nevada
November 18, 2014
Bi-State (Nevada/California) sage grouse thrive on Masini Ranch, participants in Sage Grouse Initiative conservation easements and …
News
NRCS Chief Jason Weller Gives Keynote at International Sage Grouse Forum, Utah
November 17, 2014
Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Jason Weller praised ranchers, partners and the Sage Grouse Initiative at last week’s International Sage Grouse Forum in Salt Lake …
News
U.S. Senator Michael Bennet Tours NW Colorado Ranches: Conserving Sage Grouse & Working Lands
November 14, 2014
U.S. Senator Michael Bennet recently joined the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) for a tour of three ranches in northwest Colorado. All conserve sage …
News
Tanner Family Improves Habitat For Cattle and Sage Grouse in Prime Habitat Area: NW Utah’s Box Elder County
November 10, 2014
Sage grouse, ranching, research, and wildlife viewers are all part of the award-winning Tanner Ranch in NW Utah – a Sage Grouse Initiative success …
News
National Award Honors Idaho’s Pioneers Alliance for Sage Grouse Conservation
November 6, 2014
Sage Grouse Initiative conservation easement success story: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the Pioneers Alliance of Carey, Idaho, received the …
News
Fire Conference Opens With Release of Strategy for Protecting Sage Grouse from Wildfire & Cheatgrass
November 5, 2014
The Sage Grouse Initiative releases a powerful new strategy for reducing threats of wildfire and cheatgrass in sage grouse habitat in time for a major BLM conference in Idaho.
News
Conserving Sage Grouse Across International Boundaries: Canadian ranchers tour conservation projects in northern Montana
November 3, 2014
Groups from both sides of the border met in Montana with a goal of sharing ideas to conserve the longest sage grouse migration …
News
Sage Grouse Initiative Quarterly Report: Innovative Partnerships Expand On-the-Ground Delivery of Conservation
November 1, 2014
Read the latest Sage Grouse Initiative quarterly report for partnership accomplishments via field staff, science, …
News
Private Lands Vital to Conserving Wet Areas for Sage Grouse Summer Habitat
October 30, 2014
An impressive 85% of leks (sage grouse breeding areas) cluster within six miles of wet summer habitats. Successful sage grouse conservation will hinge on cooperative …
News
Cool Green Science: Protecting Sage Grouse Habitat: Does It Benefit Mule Deer Populations?
October 22, 2014
Read today’s Cool Green Science Blog. Holly Copeland (The Nature Conservancy) shares findings that sage grouse core habitat in Wyoming overlaps with mule deer habitat (winter …
News
“CEAP” Insight: Targeted Conifer Removal: A Proactive Solution to Conserving Sage Grouse
October 15, 2014
The Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) recently announced the release of its newest Conservation Insight: “Targeted Conifer Removal: A Proactive Solution to …
News
California: National Public Lands Day Volunteers Apply Tangible Sage Grouse Conservation Actions in the Bodie Hills
October 6, 2014
Sage grouse and historic buildings both benefit from dual volunteer activities- report on National Public Lands Day from SGI Partner Bodie Hills Conservation …
News
Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust Conserves Ranch for Agriculture & Sage Grouse
September 30, 2014
Sage Grouse Initiative partner Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust just completed another significant conservation easement, working with landowner Maggie Miller, and protecting …
News
Sage Grouse Conservation Also Helps Mule Deer Migration Routes, Study Finds
September 29, 2014
New research in Wyoming’s Upper Green River Basin shows that winter range, stopover areas and migration corridors used by mule deer overlap significantly with core sage …
News
Interior Secretary Jewell Weathers Rain & Winds to See Landscape-Level Conservation Project for Sage Grouse in Oregon
September 26, 2014
U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell weathers rain and wind to see landscape-level restoration for sage grouse near Lakeview, Oregon –featuring Sage Grouse Initiative and …
News
Dawn Nottingham: Colorado rancher improves sage grouse habitat with juniper control, wildlife-friendly fencing near Dinosaur National Monument
September 19, 2014
“We’ve had a good little crop of sage chickens (grouse) for years and years,” says Nottingham, a third-generation rancher. “No one realized we had them. I figured it might not …
News
Private Lands Vital to Conserving Wet Areas for Sage Grouse Summer Habitat
September 16, 2014
New sage grouse study reveals a strong link between wet sites (essential summer habitat for sage grouse to raise their broods) and sage grouse leks, and in turn, private …
News
New publication helps land managers strategically reduce wildfire and invasive species threats in sagebrush ecosystem
September 8, 2014
Wildfire and invasive species pose great challenges to the future of sage grouse and the sagebrush ecosystems of the West. Today, managers have new strategies to reduce the …
News
Utah NRCS Provides 250,000 Fence Markers This Year to Prevent Sage Grouse Collisions: Volunteers Make it Happen
September 5, 2014
NRCS Utah is making available 250,000 fence markers this year—enough to mark approximately 128 miles of fencing with a single row of markers. These dedicated volunteers …
News
Nevada “Bootstraps” Young Adult Crew Restores Sage Grouse Habitat
September 2, 2014
Read this inspiring story about the award-winning Bootstraps program – reported in the Reno Gazette Journal last month, with additional new photos (by Genevieve Mason) …
News
Field & Stream Video of Ken Miracle, Sage Grouse “Hero of Conservation”
August 23, 2014
See the video. Explore Ken Miracle’s photographs. Meet the Sage Grouse Hero of Conservation for Field & …
News
Central Idaho Rancher Tom Page: Big Creek Ranch Applies “All Lands Management” to Benefit Sage Grouse, other Wildlife
August 20, 2014
“I love working with SGI — the flexibility is the really great thing,” Tom Page …
News
Fence Markers to Prevent Sage Grouse Collisions: Frequently Asked Questions
August 18, 2014
Find out all you need to know about how to mark fences to prevent sage grouse collisions with this Frequently Asked Questions guide from the Sage Grouse …
News
Hunting Dog Group Helps Montana Sage Grouse: Unique “Double-Marking” Project to Prevent Fence Collisions
August 14, 2014
The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association spent a hot August day giving back to the birds they care for. A dozen volunteers marked five miles of fence to prevent …
News
Eagle Scout Project Tackles Sage Grouse Fence Marking
August 13, 2014
Cache Valley Boy Scout Kaden Hart selected marking 5-miles of fence in Rich County, Utah, as his Eagle Scout Project. He worked with Taylor Payne, Sage Grouse Initiative …
News
Private Lands Harbor Scarce Wetlands Ideal for Sage Grouse: View Science Webinar
August 12, 2014
The Sage Grouse Initiative YouTube Channel hosts science Webinars and others of interest. Please see our newest addition: Rangewide Mapping of Scarce Wetland Resources, …
News
Sage Grouse Initiative Volunteer Among Finalists for Heroes of Conservation Award
August 6, 2014
Sage Grouse volunteer Ken Miracle, Boise, Idaho, is one of the six finalists selected for the 2014 Heroes of Conservation Awards hosted by Field & …
News
Beef Magazine: Sage Grouse, Cattle Thrive on Rest-Rotation
August 5, 2014
The August 5th edition of Beef Magazine online features an article about the Sage Grouse Initiative and the inspiring stewardship of the Delaneys, a multi-generational ranch …
News
Washington Landowner & Agencies Secure Major Grants To Protect And Restore A Sage Grouse Oasis In Douglas County
July 28, 2014
A forward-looking landowner working with several partners has $300,000 in grants to enhance habitat on a precious parcel for sage grouse in Douglas County, …
News
North Dakota Outdoors: Restoring Sage Grouse Habitat
July 24, 2014
North Dakota Outdoors featured one of the Sage Grouse Initiative rancher success stories in its July, 2014 issue, authored by Steve Stuebner. Rancher Rob Brooks and partners …
News
Field & Stream Video Released: Sage Grouse Initiative Hero for a Day
July 22, 2014
Field & Stream today released its Hero for a Day video featuring Montana volunteers for the Sage Grouse Initiative marking fences, removing fences, and planting sagebrush, as …
News
Sage Grouse Champions: Bi-State Local Area Working Group
July 21, 2014
“The Bi-State Local Area Working Group has provided the foundation upon which effective long-term sage grouse conservation can build,” said Tony Wasley, director of the Nevada …
News
BLM Fire Program to Focus on Sage Grouse Conservation
July 19, 2014
Fire is one of the major threats to the future of sage grouse habitat, especially in the great basin. The sage grouse initiative works with the BLM and other agencies closely …
News
USDA Announces Landmark Commitment to Improve Bi-State Sage Grouse Habitat: Nevada-California Ranchers to Benefit
June 20, 2014
View Full Size Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced USDA’s landmark agreement to accelerate and focus conservation efforts benefitting ranchers …
News
Predicting the Outcome of Wyoming’s Sage Grouse Conservation Strategy
June 19, 2014
This recent study by The Nature Conservancy, University of Wyoming and the Sage Grouse Initiative finds that Wyoming’s strategy, combined with targeted conservation …
News
Predicting the Outcome of Wyoming’s Sage Grouse Conservation Strategy
June 16, 2014
View Full Size Read the Press Release here. Download the PDF of the Science to Solutions report “Predicting the Outcome of …
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
Washington: Big-scale Conservation Starts at Rancher Allen Miller’s Kitchen Table
June 10, 2014
This article appears in the June/July 2014 issue of Working Ranch …
News
Montana Bug Study Investigates Benefits of Prescribed Grazing for Sage Grouse Chicks
June 9, 2014
Hayes Goosey is leading a unique four-year study near Roundup, Montana, to investigate a key part of sage grouse diet in spring and summer, particularly for the growing …
News
Ranchers Lead the Way With USFWS Agreement in Oregon
June 2, 2014
Story and photos about the Harney County CCAA on USFWS Pacific Region’s Tumblr Page: by Paul Henson, Oregon’s state supervisor for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife …
News
Historic Agreement Signed Today in Eastern Oregon to Benefit Sage Grouse & Ranchers
May 21, 2014
The NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative joins the celebration today in the signing of a major conservation agreement with landowners in Harney County, called a Candidate …
News
Field & Stream Magazine Films “Hero for a Day”: Sage Grouse Volunteers Lend a Hand on Bequette Ranch
May 19, 2014
Dave Bequette couldn’t be happier with the conservation results on his family ranch south of Laurel, after the May 11th “Hero for a Day” volunteer project that will …
News
Idaho’s Pioneer Alliance & Pheasants Forever Juniper Project Benefit Sage Grouse
May 13, 2014
In a continuing series of articles, Capital Press has published two more articles on the Sage Grouse Initiative from last week’s Twin Falls, Idaho Meeting, featured here with …
News
Rancher Partnerships Are Key to Sage Grouse Initiative: Twin Falls Workshop Report
May 12, 2014
Last week’s Sage Grouse Initiative Workshop for staff and partners in Twin Falls, Idaho, gave ranchers an opportunity to explain why they are partnering up with the Sage …
News
New Milestones for Sage Grouse Initiative from Partnership With Intermountain West Joint Venture
May 2, 2014
Across 11 western states in sage grouse strongholds, 24 biologists and range conservationists funded to carry out the Sage Grouse Initiative are making a tangible difference.
News
Sage Grouse Stable in SE Montana: FWP Four-Year Study Results Are In
April 25, 2014
In Southeast Montana, however, the birds have persisted at sustainable levels and the ability to sustain seems to point to the fact that many traditional landowners have …
News
Conifer Removal Restores Sage Grouse Habitat
April 23, 2014
Hundreds of thousands of acres of intact sagebrush lands–and the grouse that depend upon them–are threatened by invading conifers. SGI helps remove the threat to prevent …
News
North Dakota Sage Grouse Initiative Partnership: Planting Wyoming Big Sage on Brooks Ranch Enhances Sage Grouse Habitat
April 22, 2014
North Dakota cattle rancher Rob Brooks is supportive and participating in restoring sagebrush to his land to give sage grouse a chance here at the fringe of his range. The …
News
Targeting Early Phase Conifer Removal is Key to Restoring Sage Grouse Habitat
April 9, 2014
Removing junipers and other conifers that are early invaders of sagebrush-steppe is less costly, and much more likely to be effective, than a delay-and-repair approach that …
News
Western Governors’ Association Releases Major Sage Grouse Report Highlighting State & Local Efforts to Conserve the Species
March 24, 2014
The Sage Grouse Initiative commends the impressive collaboration that’s underway at federal, state and local levels to proactively address the threats to sage grouse and …
News
Voluntary conservation effort promotes improved lesser prairie-chicken habitat: Partnership with Pheasants Forever will provide $5 million for effort
March 24, 2014
Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie, announced a renewed and expanded partnership to provide expert habitat advice to farmers and …
News
Science to Solution Series: Marking High-Risk Fences Saves Sage Grouse
March 20, 2014
The Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) regularly joins with its partners to fund and support science that is designed to help guide conservation solutions on the ground. Today, we …
News
Ranchers Participate in Sage Grouse Initiative to Remove Juniper & Restore Range: Idaho Statesman
March 14, 2014
“But when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decides in 2015 whether to list the grouse as a threatened creature under the Endangered Species Act, it will be looking at the …
News
2014 Sage Grouse Lek Viewing Tours & Places to See the Wondrous Dance
February 28, 2014
March, April and early May mark the sage grouse dancing season, when males assemble at dawn every day on “leks,” (open natural dance floors in the sage grouse) and put on …
News
IWJV News: SGI Partner Positions Offer a New Model for Field Staffing to Help Ranchers Conserve Sage Grouse
February 25, 2014
When Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) range conservationist Mandi Hirsch heads out into the sagebrush from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office in Lander, …
Publication Alert
WLFW Research Details How Wildfire Follows Cheatgrass In the Great Basin
September 29, 2023
WLFW research shows that 77% of invasive annual grass transition in the Great Basin occurred without fire, suggesting proactive management of invasive grasses is …
Publication Alert
Visual analysis shows tree expansion across Montana rangelands since 1950s
August 29, 2023
New mapping application shows where tree expansion is happening in Montana through easy-to-see, interactive comparisons of historical and modern aerial …
News
2023 Western Working Lands for Wildlife Workshop Recap
July 27, 2023
Learn more about the 2023 Western Working Lands for Wildlife …
News
New “Pocket Guide” Provides Unified Planning Process for Reducing Woody Encroachment in Grasslands
July 18, 2023
New pocket guide details conservation planning guidelines for reducing woody encroachment in …
News
Landscape Explorer map shows how much the West has changed since the 1950s
July 18, 2023
Explore past and present landscapes from the Great Plains to the Pacific coast. New, easy-to-use map uses historic and current aerial imagery to highlight how our landscapes …
News
USDA Announces Historic Investment in Wildlife Conservation, Expands Partnership to Include Additional Programs
June 27, 2023
USDA commits $500 million from Farm Bill, expanding Working Lands conservation to benefit wildlife, support agriculture, and rural …
Ask an Expert
To protect intact grasslands, start with the seed
June 26, 2023
Research highlights the importance of seed sources as a driver of grassland vulnerability to encroachment and how to best prevent manage seeds and seedlings to protect core …
Podcast
Podcast: Predicting Fire in the Great Basin
June 16, 2023
This episode of the Living with Fire podcast talks with WLFW’s Joe Smith and Jeremy Maestas to discuss Smith’s fire probability maps for the Great …
Ask an Expert
How can we balance sage grouse and pinyon jay conservation in sagebrush country?
May 17, 2023
Two recent papers highlight that the majority of conifer removal in sagebrush country has avoided key pinyon jay habitat and further detail how we can balance managing pinyon …
Publication Alert
Where trees meet sage: Striking a balance between sage grouse and pinyon jay needs
May 12, 2023
Research from two papers helps managers balance conservation to benefit imperiled sagebrush and woodland birds …
Podcast
Podcast: How Invasive Grasses Are Harming Hunting
April 19, 2023
Join Brian Mealor, director of the University of Wyoming’s Sheridan Research and Extension Center and the Institute for Managing Annual Grasses Invading Natural Ecosystems for …
Publication Alert
More woody encroachment means more wildfire risk. Prescribed fire can lower it.
April 12, 2023
WLFW-affiliated research details the risk of increasing wildfire in the Great Plains due to woody encroachment and how prescribed fires help reduce that …
News
USDA-ARS Now Stewarding the Rangeland Analysis Platform
April 10, 2023
The USDA-Agricultural Research Service is now stewarding the powerful Rangeland Analysis …
Podcast
Podcast: Part 2 of “Defend the Core” Strategy for Invasive Plants
March 30, 2023
WLFW’s Jeremy Maestas and Dirac Twidwell join the Art of Range podcast for part two of a two-part discussion of Defend the Core, a proactive management strategy defending …
Publication Alert
New science incorporates genetics and connectivity into sage grouse conservation
March 8, 2023
New research adds connectivity to sage grouse conservation strategies, opening new opportunities for conserving travel pathways that facilitate gene flow among sage grouse …
Podcast
Podcast: Maintaining the Grass
March 1, 2023
Join Kansas Backcountry Hunters and Anglers as they talk with Dean Krehbiel of Kansas NRCS and Cade Rensick, a Kansas-based producer and extension …
Podcast
Podcast: Part 1 of “Defend the Core” Strategy for Invasive Plants
February 24, 2023
WLFW’s Jeremy Maestas and Dirac Twidwell join the Art of Range podcast for part one of a two-part discussion of Defend the Core, a proactive management strategy defending …
Ask an Expert
Protecting water preserves a lifescape, not just a landscape
February 24, 2023
Longtime practitioners, Carol Evans and Sherman Swanson, share lessons learned on how to conserve and improve essential riparian resources for ranchers and wildlife …
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New analysis highlights conservation challenges and opportunities on Western public lands
January 31, 2023
Recently published science applies remote-sensing tools to BLM-managed rangelands and provides an unprecedented record of how the vegetation across this enormous area has …
PUBLICATION ALERT
Research provides first-ever analysis of vegetation trends on BLM lands across West
January 4, 2023
Remote sensing technology offers a cost-efficient and spatially diverse method of analyzing vegetation trends on western rangelands, including the more than 233 million acres …
News
Latest Sage Grouse “Scorecard” Highlights NRCS Investments and Outcomes
November 17, 2022
The latest Greater Sage-Grouse Scorecard details NRCS investments and conservation milestones in sagebrush country for fiscal year 2021 and cumulatively since …
News
Latest LPCI “Scorecard” Highlights NRCS Investments and Outcomes
November 17, 2022
Check out the latest Lesser Prairie-Chicken Scorecard which details NRCS investments and conservation milestones in the southern Plains states for fiscal year 2021 and the …
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Forage Production Lost to Tree Expansion
October 19, 2022
This WLFW-supported research quantifies the economic impacts of lost herbaceous production, one of the many negative effects of woody …
PUBLICATION ALERT
Herbaceous production lost to tree encroachment in United States rangelands
October 19, 2022
New research from University of Montana researchers affiliated with Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) quantifies the economic impacts of lost herbaceous production throughout …
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 …
Publication Alert
New tool maps the likelihood of large wildfires in the Great Basin
September 21, 2022
Two new papers highlight how rangeland fires are different from forest fires and how fire-probability research can inform fuels management in …
Ask an Expert
Getting Ahead of Large Rangeland Fires in the Great Basin
September 20, 2022
Join Joe Smith and Jeremy Maestas for a discussion about new, annual fire-prediction maps for the Great Basin and what they mean for managing for wildfire in …
Ask an Expert
Dr. Dirac Twidwell: Saving the Last Grasslands
June 27, 2022
WLFW science advisor Dr. Dirac Twidwell discusses how the NRCS and partners are working to save the last grasslands in the U.S. and how new science and technology is informing …
News
How To Watch The Best Mating Dance In The West
March 29, 2022
Check out the ‘sage grouse strut’ this spring on a live-streaming Lek Cam, and read helpful tips for responsible wildlife viewing in the …
News
Creating Jobs Through Conservation in Southwest Montana
March 22, 2022
In southwest Montana, a creative partnership is improving sagebrush habitat, providing jobs, and empowering youth, one project at a …
Publication Alert
The Last Continuous Grasslands on Earth
March 3, 2022
New research details the largest and most intact grasslands on Earth. Two of the largest are located here in the U.S. — the Sandhills of Nebraska and the sagebrush steppe of …
News
“Defend the Core” — Fighting back against woody invaders on the Great Plains
February 24, 2022
NRCS’ Working Lands for Wildlife is investing in big-picture, proactive ways to keep from losing healthy grasslands to woody …
News
“Defend the Core” — Fighting back against rangeland invaders in sagebrush country
February 24, 2022
Working Lands for Wildlife is leading a new charge to Defend the Core and fighting back against invasive annual …
Publication Alert
A geographic strategy for cross-jurisdictional, proactive management of invasive annual grasses in Oregon
February 23, 2022
A new “Defend the Core” strategy for addressing invasive annual grasses is emerging in Oregon and it parallels other efforts across the …
Publication Alert
Defend the Core: Maintaining intact rangelands by reducing vulnerability to invasive annual grasses
February 22, 2022
Defend the Core is an emerging, proactive strategy being used by a variety of efforts across the West to defend intact rangeland cores from threats like invasive annual …
News
New Year, New Connections, New Opportunities
January 26, 2022
With two Frameworks for Conservation Action addressing the most pressing threats facing the sagebrush and Great Plains grassland biomes, 2022 promises to be a big year for …
News
Publication Alert: Large-scale fire management restores grassland bird richness
January 18, 2022
Research from the Loess Canyons Experimental Landscape shows that strategic use of prescribed fire boosts grassland species …
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
Beaver Breaks: How Beavers (and low-tech riparian restoration) Help Reduce Impacts From Fire
November 29, 2021
View Full Size Beaver ponds produce great wet habitat which then provides a refuge for fish and wildlife in a …
Ask an Expert
The Ascent and Spread of Annual Invasive Grasses in the Great Basin
November 29, 2021
Ask an Expert: Join Joe Smith as he discusses his new research highlighting how annual invasive grasses are spreading in the Great Basin and what this means for …
Publication Alert
Publication Alert: Annual Invasive Grasses Spreading Through Great Basin to Higher Elevations and Northern Aspects
November 23, 2021
Working Lands for Wildlife research is showing that annual invasive grasses are moving up in elevation and to more northern aspects throughout the Great …
News
Warners
November 23, 2021
For eight years, SGI and partners have conducted a long-term conifer removal project in the Warner Mountains in SE Oregon. In addition to removing encroaching trees, …
News
The Story of Saving the Loess Canyons
October 20, 2021
A new report highlights how landowners in the Loess Canyons of Nebraska have successfully reversed tree encroachment in grasslands while also facilitating co-produced science …
News
Publication: Habitat Preferred by Sage Grouse Increases Six-Fold Following Tree Removal
October 20, 2021
A long-term study from Oregon shows strategic tree removal boots sage grouse use of habitat as compared to areas where no trees were …
News
A Decade of Science Support in the Sagebrush Biome
September 30, 2021
A new report summarizes – in one place – more than a decade of WLFW science support that NRCS staff and partners can incorporate into their future …
News
The Science Behind WLFW’s Riparian and Wet Meadow Restoration
August 26, 2021
Working Lands for Wildlife researchers and scientists have spent years researching how sage grouse use the West’s mesic habitats, how best to restore those habitats, and …
News
Thinking Like Water: Working Lands for Wildlife Leads Low-Tech Mesic Restoration Efforts in Sagebrush Country
August 26, 2021
Since 2016, Working Lands for Wildlife has been trained nearly 2,000 people on low-tech mesic restoration techniques, empowering practitioners to implement riparian and wet …
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 …
Ask an Expert
Ask an Expert | Keeping it Grass: How the NRCS Helps Landowners Maintain Grasslands When CRP Contracts Expire
July 12, 2021
Join Andy Burr, NRCS-Kansas state biologist, to learn how the NRCS can help landowners turn expired CRP lands into grazing lands that maintain wildlife habitat and provide …
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
Study Demonstrates Importance of Voluntary Conservation for Grassland Birds
July 1, 2021
Study highlights how voluntary conservation protected habitat for 4.5 million grassland songbirds, and boosted populations by 1.8 million …
Ask an Expert
Ask an Expert | The Green Glacier: What is Conifer Encroachment and Why is it Bad?
June 22, 2021
Learn about the “Green Glacier,” the slow-moving expansion of conifer trees across western rangelands, in this Ask an Expert with NRCS’s Jeremy …
Podcast
Podcast: The New Great Plains Grasslands Initiative with NRCS
June 16, 2021
Learn about the USDA-NRCS’ Working Lands for Wildlife efforts and the Great Plains Grassland Initiatives in this episode of On the Wing, a podcast from Pheasants Forever and …
News
Sage Grouse Populations Grow Faster After Tree Removal
June 10, 2021
New study shows that sage grouse population growth rates are 12% higher following long-term conifer …
News
Washington Ranch Preserves Sagebrush Rangeland in Perpetuity
May 26, 2021
New conservation easement in Washington state preserves more than 2,000 acres of native sagebrush range in critical sage grouse habitat, adding to a 6,800-acre easement the …
News
The Value of Keeping it in Grass
May 26, 2021
The Burke Family’s long partnership with NRCS has led to better forage for livestock and wildlife and, in 2017, their ranch was protected in perpetuity through a …
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
Sagebrush Framework in Focus: Wildlife Conservation Through Sustainable Ranching
April 22, 2021
Dig into the Framework for Conservation Action in the Sagebrush …
News
E&E News: USDA plans aim to bolster rangeland wildlife conservation
April 21, 2021
E&E News reports on the Framework for Conservation Action in the Sagebrush Biome. Reprinted with …
News
USDA-NRCS Press Release: New Frameworks Guide Conservation Action on America’s Working Rangelands
April 6, 2021
Learn about the new Framework for Conservation Action in the Sagebrush Biome through this post and a webinar on April 8th, …
News
Healthy Rangelands Store Critical Carbon Above and Below the Surface
March 31, 2021
Learn how healthy rangelands store carbon and what WLFW is doing to ensure these rangelands remain resilient and healthy into the …
News
Working Lands Snapshot | WILDFLOWERS
March 18, 2021
Learn all about wildflowers, also called forbs, in this Western Working Lands …
News
Healthy Grass Equals Profitable Ranches
March 15, 2021
The Blair family has worked hard to make their ranch profitable and resilient which benefits wildlife and the next generation. Read all about their work with SGI and other …
News
Press Release: USDA-NRCS Announces Funding of the KS Great Plains Grasslands Initiative
March 15, 2021
Kansas producers have new funding opportunities to help address woody plant encroachment on targeted rangelands through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural …
News
A Conservation Dream Come True
March 2, 2021
This story originally appeared in Nebraskaland Magazine, the magazine of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Reposted here with permission.
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 …
News
New technology helps ranchers maximize grass production
February 17, 2021
How much forage have you lost to woody species? The Rangeland Analysis Platform can help quantify forage loss and pinpoint where to invest conservation funding. Join the NRCS …
News
A Landowner’s Journey to Using Prescribed Fire – Repost – Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
December 9, 2020
Jim Jenkins worked to remove eastern redcedar trees from his Nebraska ranch for years, with limited success. Then he learned about how prescribed fire could do the work for …
News
Conservation Reserve Program Benefits Lesser Prairie-Chickens
October 21, 2020
New report highlights importance of Conservation Reserve Program grasslands for Lesser …
News
Western Working Lands Snapshot | Wet Habitat in the West
October 2, 2020
Learn about the wet, or mesic, habitats that cover 2% of the arid West but are critical to wildlife and …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | Life Cycle of Sage Grouse
September 29, 2020
Test your knowledge of the life cycle of sage grouse in this Sage Whiz …
Chicken Challenge
Take the Chicken Challenge | Prairie Habitat
September 16, 2020
Test your knowledge of lesser prairie-chicken habitat with this Chicken …
News
Ask an Expert | Curtis Elke, Idaho-NRCS State Conservationist, Talks Cheatgrass and More
September 1, 2020
View Full Size The Cheatgrass Challenge is a proactive effort to tackle annual invasive grasses and other restoration challenges across …
News
Don’t Get Cheated By Invasive Grasses
August 17, 2020
Farmers and ranchers can’t afford to ignore the economic challenges posed by …
News
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 this and other questions in this …
News
Virtual Workshop | Low-Tech Riverscape Restoration – Aug. 11-14, 2020
July 27, 2020
Join WLFW and Utah State University for a free, four-day, virtual workshop focused on low-tech, process-based riverscape …
News
New Report Highlights Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative Outcomes Since 2010
July 22, 2020
The Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative is a Working Lands for Wildlife effort that is focused on rangeland resiliency in the southern Great Plains. Check out this new report to …
News
New Report Highlights LPCI’s Outcomes Since 2010
July 21, 2020
New report details conservation outcomes from LPCI since …
News
Idaho Launches the Cheatgrass Challenge
July 8, 2020
Read all about Idaho’s new effort to tackle cheatgrass, an invasive annual grass that is causing serious issues across western …
News
Webinar Replay | Restoration of Annual Grass Invaded Landscapes
July 6, 2020
Overview of the devastating impacts of annual invasive grasses, regional scale strategies to tackle the problem, on-the-ground examples of restoration, and introduction to a …
News
Bugle Magazine | Thinking Like a Beaver
June 26, 2020
Read about how volunteer-led, low-tech, process-based restoration of streams and meadows in the west is helping restore critical habitat for elk and other wildlife in this …
News
Western Working Lands Snapshot | Pollinators
June 18, 2020
Learn all about pollination and pollinators in this Western Working Lands …
News
Webinar | Low-Tech Wet Meadow Restoration: Reading the Landscape to Recognize Opportunities
June 16, 2020
Wet or mesic habitats are rare but disproportionately important habitats within western rangelands. Gully erosion and channel incision are widespread problems reducing nature …
News
Early 2020 Webinar Replay Roundup
June 10, 2020
Webinar Roundup | Watch on-demand replays of recent sagebrush and sage grouse-focused webinars all first presented in early …
News
Ask an Expert | Mitch Faulkner, 2020 Rangeland Management Specialist of the Year, Talks Partnerships and More
May 27, 2020
Mitch Faulkner, 2020 NRCS Rangeland Management Specialist of the Year, talks about the partnerships that have advanced rangeland conservation across boundaries in South …
News
Western Working Lands Snapshot | The Great Basin
May 13, 2020
Learn about the fascinating topography, natural history, and conservation challenges within the Great Basin, a huge swath of western rangeland in Nevada, Idaho, California, …
News
Success Story | Innovative Small Business Owner Integral to Restoring Grazing Lands
May 6, 2020
Meet Cecil Swaggart, an innovative small business owner whose expertise is advancing sagebrush restoration in the …
Chicken Challenge
Take the Chicken Challenge | Conifers
April 14, 2020
Test your knowledge of conifers and their impacts to grasslands in our latest Chicken …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | Conifers
April 10, 2020
Test your knowledge of conifer trees and how they impact sagebrush and grassland …
News
Montana Outdoors Magazine Article | The Herd and the Bird
March 20, 2020
Magazine Article | This article originally appeared in the March-April 2020 issue of Montana Outdoors, the magazine of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. It is reposted here with …
News
SGI’s “Ranching First” Approach Proves Key to Protecting Ranch in Washington
March 10, 2020
View Full Size The Keane Ranch is now protected from development in perpetuity thanks to a conservation easement supported, in …
News
Ask an Expert | When it comes to sage grouse habitat: Don’t sweat the small stuff
February 27, 2020
Ask a Expert | When it Comes to Sage Grouse Habitat, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: A Conversation with Joe Smith, Working Lands for Wildlife …
News
Ask an Expert | How Does Grazing Affect Native Pollinators
February 20, 2020
Join Gabrielle Blanchette for a deep dive into the role native pollinators play in rangelands and how grazing can impact these critical components of a healthy …
News
PHEASANTS FOREVER Magazine | Of Partners, Promises and Prairie Treasures
February 13, 2020
Magazine Story | Pheasants Forever’s Spring 2020 Journal of Upland Conservation features how the nonprofit works with SGI and other partners to benefit a variety of grouse …
News
PHEASANTS FOREVER Magazine | Of Partners, Promises and Prairie Treasures – LPCI
February 13, 2020
Magazine Story | Pheasants Forever’s Spring 2020 Journal of Upland Conservation features how the nonprofit works with LPCI and other partners to benefit a variety of grouse …
News
Ask an Expert | The Science Behind Private Lands Conservation: A Conversation with Dr. David Naugle, Working Lands for Wildlife Science Advisor
January 21, 2020
Learn more about WLFW’s approach to science, how the coproduction of science benefits private-lands conservation and what’s next for the Western WLFW science …
News
Nature’s Engineers: How Beavers Boost Streamflows and Restore Habitat
January 13, 2020
Almost like magic…How beavers boost streamflows and restore habitat with a little help from …
News
Transforming Rangeland In Kansas’ Gyp Hills
November 25, 2019
Working together with conservation partners, a landowner and livestock producer restore prairie grazing lands in the southern Great …
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 …
News
Low tech riparian restoration hits the ground in Idaho
November 6, 2019
In Idaho, low-tech stream restoration is taking off, thanks in part, to SGI’s workshops and education …
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
Quantifying Outcomes Improves Conservation Effectiveness
October 8, 2019
Since 2012, Working Lands for Wildlife has partnered with the Conservation Effects Assessment Project to co-produce 37 peer-reviewed studies that measure conservation …
News
Western Working Lands Snapshot | Grasslands
September 24, 2019
Join us for a new series focused on the natural history, wildlife, and people on the West’s working lands. This innagural post focuses on …
Ask an Expert
Why You Should Know About the Eastern Redcedar Science Literacy Project
September 23, 2019
Ask an Expert | What is the Eastern Redcedar Science Literacy Project and Why You Should Know About It – An interview with Dr. Dirac Twidwell of University of the …
News
Cutting to the Chase: Long-Term Success of Conifer Removal Depends on Both Cutting and Burning
September 10, 2019
Ask an Expert | How to use cutting and burning to most effectively restore sagebrush ecosystems experiencing conifer …
News
Birds of a Feather on Working Lands
August 20, 2019
Read about how Working Lands for Wildlife is benefiting the golden-winged warbler and the greater sage grouse, two bird species that have more in common than …
News
Working Lands for Wildlife Initiatives Benefit Songbirds Too!
July 19, 2019
Science to Solutions | New research shows that prairie songbirds benefit from lesser prairie-chicken-focused conservation …
News
Conserving prairies for chickens helps millions of songbirds too
July 18, 2019
Science to Solutions | New research shows that implementing conservation practices like prescribed grazing increases songbird populations in the southern Great Plains, while …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | Ranching
July 8, 2019
How much do you know about ranching in the West? Take this Sage Whiz Quiz and test your ranching …
News
How do lesser prairie-chickens like mesquite removal? Ask an Expert with Dr. Christian Hagen
July 2, 2019
Dr. Christian Hagen discusses his new research on mesquite trees, lesser prairie-chickens and how science can help inform the most effective places to invest restoration …
News
Western Working Lands for Wildlife 2019 Workshop – Rangeland Resiliency
June 25, 2019
Read about the workshop and conference in Twin Falls, Idaho and follow along with the second-day field tour across Idaho and …
Podcast
Podcast: Sage Grouse Biology, Habitat, and How to Hunt Them
June 25, 2019
The On the Wing podcast talks with WLFW’s Tim Griffiths and Pheasant Forever’s Ron Leathers and Michael Brown about Working Lands for Wildlife’s conservation efforts that …
News
Sustainable Ranching in Utah: A Boon For Wildlife And Livestock
June 12, 2019
Sustainable Ranching in Utah: A Boon for Wildlife and Livestock | Read how Stephen and Kris Ellis keep their family tradition alive and strong on the Circle Bar …
News
Sage Grouse Populations Grow When Conifers are Removed
May 14, 2019
Ask an Expert – Andrew Olsen explains his research that shows sage grouse populations rise 12% following sustained and targeted conifer …
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 …
News
Conversation with Rangeland Management Specialist of the Year, Rebecca Knapp
April 24, 2019
In February, the Society for Rangeland Management awarded Rebecca Knapp its highest honor, Rangeland Management Specialist of the Year. We sat down with Knapp to discuss her …
Chicken Challenge
Take the Chicken Challenge | Lesser Prairie-Chickens
April 18, 2019
Learn fun facts and test your lesser prairie-chicken knowledge with our Chicken Challenge …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | Elk
April 16, 2019
Take this Sage Whiz Quiz to test your knowledge of …
News
New Manual for Low-Tech Riparian Restoration
April 10, 2019
Low-tech riverscape restoration manual available for FREE. Download now and implement these low-tech, low-cost stream restoration …
News
Conservation Successes – 2018 LPCI Scorecard
April 2, 2019
The new 2018 LPCI Scorecard highlights our conservation achievements since …
News
Conservation Success – 2018 SGI Scorecard
April 2, 2019
Check out SGI’s 2018 Scorecard to see how we’ve done against the milestones we set in …
News
Woody Invasion in the Great Plains Diminishes Water Resources
March 26, 2019
Science to Solutions – New research details impacts to water from encroaching eastern redcedar and other conifers on landscapes in the Great …
News
Woody Invasion Impacts Water on Great Plains
March 26, 2019
Science to Solutions – New research details impacts to water from encroaching eastern redcedar and other conifers on landscapes in the Great Plains. Similar impacts occur on …
News
Conservation Insight Report Confirms LPCI Projects Benefit Birds and Ranchers
March 21, 2019
New Conservation Insight Report Confirms LPCI Projects Benefit Chickens and …
News
Conservation Insight Report Confirms Benefits of Conifer Removal
March 21, 2019
New report from the Conservation Effects Assessment Project confirms multiple benefits of removing encroaching …
News
Watch Working Lands For Wildlife Presentations from 2019 Society for Range Management Conference
March 19, 2019
Working Lands for Wildlife video presentations from the 2019 Society for Range Management Conference featuring new technologies that can help improve rangeland management in …
News
Our Amazing Grasslands Video – The Conner Ranch
March 19, 2019
New video highlights the Conner Ranch in Belle Fourche, South Dakota where Dan and Cindi Conner have worked with SGI and other partners to improve their ranch for sage grouse …
News
Patterns in Rangeland Productivity and Land Ownership and What They Mean for Conservation
March 6, 2019
Ask an Expert: Dr. Brady Allred, Associate Professor of Rangeland Ecology, University of Montana | Patterns in Rangeland Productivity and Land Ownership and What They Mean for …
News
WEBINAR: Mapping Cross-Scale Transitions in Rangelands
February 21, 2019
WEBINAR | February 26, 2019 | 2 PM ET – Mapping Cross-Scale Transitions in Rangelands – Learn how the powerful Rangelands Analysis Platform can help improve rangeland …
News
Conserving Diverse Wet Habitats Keeps Western Rangelands Resilient
February 13, 2019
New research highlights the importance of mesic resources for sage grouse and other wildlife …
News
How Do Mule Deer Use Sagebrush?
February 5, 2019
Miles Moretti of the Mule Deer Foundation tells us how mule deer use sagebrush country and why MDF is partnering to conserve western …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | Sagebrush
January 17, 2019
Take this 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
How Can Emerging Technology Help Conserve Rangeland?
December 5, 2018
Research scientist Dr. Matthew Jones explains how cloud computing and machine learning are changing the way we visualize and manage …
News
Grazed Rangelands Produce Sage Grouse Chicks’ Preferred Food
November 26, 2018
New research shows that grazing lands grow more bugs for birds to …
News
Oregon Ranchers Sustain “Heart Of The Desert”
November 12, 2018
Maintaining an “emerald island” in the middle of the desert is no small task. Here’s how the Fitzgeralds do it on their Oregon …
News
Beavers, Water, and Fire—A New Formula for Success
November 6, 2018
National Wildlife Federation Blog | Low-tech stream restoration works wonders for people and …
News
#FridaysOnTheFarm | For Future Generations of Ranchers and Sage Grouse
November 2, 2018
Meet David Sceirine, a rancher protecting key wildlife habitat on his family’s ranch near Bridgeport Valley, …
News
Partnering To Conserve A Sagebrush Landscape
October 24, 2018
Innovative partnerships with private landowners and public land managers on working rangelands in Southwest Montana are conserving sagebrush …
News
New Nevada Agreement Paves The Way For Landscape-Scale Conservation
October 18, 2018
Public and private partners in Nevada sign a landmark agreement that leverages funding across state, federal, and private property to accelerate sagebrush …
News
Low-Tech Riparian And Meadow Restoration Keeps Rangelands Greener Longer
October 8, 2018
New research shows low-tech restoration methods increased vegetation productivity by 25% and kept plants greener longer, resulting in greater …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | Water In The West
September 28, 2018
Test your knowledge about precious wet habitat on America’s arid western …
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
New Technology For Landowners And Resource Managers Revolutionizes Rangeland Monitoring
September 18, 2018
by Justin Fritscher, NRCS | New free app provides the first-ever vegetation cover maps for rangelands from the Great Plains to the Pacific …
News
WEBINAR | Rangeland Analysis Platform: Introducing a free, online tool to help manage and monitor western rangelands
September 12, 2018
RAP is a free, online tool that helps landowners and natural resource managers track vegetation through time and plan actions to improve America’s grazing …
News
Running The Ranch
August 30, 2018
By Tim Griffiths | Pickup trucks, working dogs, cowboy hats, and running shoes. These were the diverse sights this past Saturday at the Montana Ranch …
News
What Is Low-Tech Stream Restoration?
August 27, 2018
River expert Joe Wheaton explains how simple, cost-effective, hand-built structures are helping repair streams across the …
News
Meet Leah Mori: Helping Ranchers Weather Wildfire Storms in Nevada’s Sagebrush Sea
August 20, 2018
This story features Leah Mori, a soil conservation technician in Winnemucca, Nevada, who is combating the twin threats of wildfire and …
News
Range Conservation Across Continents: What Australia and America Have In Common
August 6, 2018
Field tour in Wyoming illustrates how voluntary conservation strategies working on behalf of America’s sage grouse can also help Australia’s …
News
#ConservationRoadtrip | Taking No-Till To The Next Level
July 30, 2018
With help from NRCS, Montana rancher returns cropland to permanent grasses and forbs to provide forage for livestock and sage …
News
High School Students Help Restore Montana Sagebrush
July 12, 2018
Partners come together — including youth field crews — to improve working lands for wildlife in southwest …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | How Are Weeds Linked To Wildfire?
July 2, 2018
Take this quiz to test your knowledge of how invasive annual grasses are linked to wildfires in the …
News
Combatting Cheatgrass On Private Ranch Lands In Wyoming Benefits Sage Grouse
July 1, 2018
Learn how Wyoming landowner DeWitt Morris is working with the NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative to create a model for other ranchers on how to thwart invasive cheatgrass on …
News
NEW Story Map Highlights Rural Communities & Positive Partnerships
June 28, 2018
Check out this new story map that highlights the people working together across sagebrush rangeland to protect the places that matter to …
News
Lessons & Photos from SGI’s 8th Annual Workshop: Combating Wildfire & Weeds
June 18, 2018
The 2018 SGI field tour and presentations focused on cooperative, science-based conservation that’s working to thwart fire and invasives in sagebrush …
News
NEW REPORT: Recommendations For Reducing The Spread Of Weeds & Wildfire
June 13, 2018
New report pinpoints gaps in combatting invasive grasses and wildfires across vast sagebrush rangelands in the western …
News
#FridaysOnTheFarm: Restoring Sagebrush Country With ‘Modern Wildfire’
June 8, 2018
Through the Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI), private landowners across Eastern Oregon are volunteering to perform proactive conservation treatments on their rangeland to promote …
News
Starter Guide For Healing Degraded Meadows With Hand-Built Structures In Sagebrush Country
June 4, 2018
New NRCS Technical Note provides a case study from Colorado’s Gunnison Basin to help partners replicate cost-effective watershed restoration …
News
Wildfire and Weeds: 5 Things Ranchers Should Know
May 29, 2018
Here is what you should know about invasive weeds–which lead to wildfires out West–and how to combat …
News
NEW SCIENCE: Visualizing Sage Grouse Habitat As “Hubs & Spokes”
May 17, 2018
New research helps prioritize sage grouse conservation by ranking the importance of leks to the species’ overall genetic connectivity across the range, likening certain areas …
News
Idaho Models “3 C’s”: Collaboration, Cooperation, Conservation
May 8, 2018
In Idaho, agencies and landowners are working together across boundaries to restore sagebrush …
News
What Causes Wildfires In The West?
April 23, 2018
Wildfires are now more frequent and more intense in sagebrush country. Learn why (and how to reduce fire risk) from BLM fire planner Darcy …
News
WEBINAR – Grazing To Maintain Perennial Bunchgrasses And Reduce Exotic Annuals
April 2, 2018
This webinar will discuss the benefits of altering timing of grazing to reduce annuals and maintain perennial bunchgrasses. It will also discuss the detrimental impacts of …
News
WEBINAR – Herbicides Cheatgrass Control: What Works?
March 26, 2018
This webinar will cover existing products that are effective and how they are applied in different situations. It will also introduce new emerging …
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
Study Shows It Pays To Treat Invasive Grass On Your Ranch
March 7, 2018
An economics study from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oregon shows that the earlier ranchers treat cheatgrass, the greater their financial …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | What The Heck Is A Lek?
March 5, 2018
How much do you know about the best mating dance in the West? Test your knowledge about sage grouse lekking season …
News
Research Says, Adjusting Grazing Practices Can Improve Prairie-Chicken Habitat
February 27, 2018
SCIENCE TO SOLUTIONS: A new study by researchers at Kansas State University identifies specific grazing practices that create the varied grassland habitat structure that …
News
WEBINAR – Cheatgrass control methods and impacts on perennial grass abundance: A systematic review spanning 64 years
February 23, 2018
Reducing cheatgrass has been a primary research topic and goal of ecological restoration for over 50 years. Our work examined published studies between 1946 and 2012 to …
News
30 Videos Now Available on Science & Management in Sagebrush Country
February 15, 2018
View free, on-demand replays on YouTube of educational presentations about the science and management of sagebrush …
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
Montana Ranchers Improve Sage Grouse Habitat And Reduce Fire Risk
February 8, 2018
By Hayden Nelson, SGI Range Conservationist, Roundup, Montana NRCS Field Office | Landowners are partnering with the Sage Grouse Initiative to restore sagebrush habitat 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
Why Is Cheatgrass Bad?
January 30, 2018
Mike Pellant with the Bureau of Land Management explains how cheatgrass and wildfire create a vicious cycle that harms wildlife and our way of life in the West … and gives …
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
Free Live-Broadcast of Special Symposia from Society for Range Management Conference
January 12, 2018
When: Jan 30 & Feb 1, 2018 Hosts: NRCS-SGI, IWJV, BLM, SRM, USU Watch free on-demand replays of the presentations …
News
The Conservation Gift That Benefits Us For Countless Years to Come
January 4, 2018
by Brianna Randall | Conserving our natural resources is one of the ways we can give back to our children, communities, and economy for years to come. And the gift that keeps …
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
Webinar: Effects Of Livestock Grazing On Sage Grouse Nesting Ecology
December 28, 2017
When: Wednesday, February 7, 2018 | 10:00 – 11:00 am PST Host: NRCS West National Technology Support Center Click here to view the On-Demand …
News
Seeing the Prairie From a Coyote’s Eye View
December 27, 2017
FIELD REPORT; What does the prairie look like from a coyote’s eye view, and why does that matter to lesser prairie-chickens? LPCI range conservationist Marina Osier, based in …
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
A Tale of Two Fires: Prescribed Fire Thwarts Wildfire on the New Mexico Prairie
November 29, 2017
NEWS: Two lightning-caused wildfires on the same site in eastern New Mexico yielded profoundly different results. Why? Prescribed fire played a key …
News
Taking the Bias Out of Sage Grouse Nesting Studies
November 27, 2017
This new Science to Solutions shows that grass height may not be as crucial to nesting success as previously thought, since hatched nests are measured later than failed …
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
New Science: When Trees Are Cut, Grasses & Shrubs Return
November 14, 2017
Research shows that conifers decrease the native sagebrush grasses and shrubs that wildlife and livestock rely on, and confirms that forage comes back when trees are …
News
Working With Water: Restoring Wet Meadows in the Sage
November 9, 2017
By Sarah Keller for IWJV | In Montana, land managers and conservationists learned how to restore wet meadows for people and …
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
BUGLE Magazine | Sage Grouse + Elk = Peanut Butter & Jelly
October 19, 2017
Bugle Magazine, a publication of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, published this feature story on the value of conserving sagebrush country in its Nov/Dec 2017 …
News
BEEF Magazine | Rest-Rotation Grazing Helps Sage Grouse Survival
October 16, 2017
Pastures that use Sage Grouse Initiative rest-rotation grazing programs produce plentiful bugs, which is a good deal for cattle and sage grouse …
News
Keeping the Grass in CRP Grasslands—LPCI and the Dust Bowl legacy
October 9, 2017
LPCI NEWS: The Dust Bowl’s legacy has profoundly shaped ranching and wildlife conservation in the southern Great Plains. LPCI helps ranchers like Abell keep grasslands in …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | What Do You Know About Sage Grouse Chicks?
October 5, 2017
Find out fun facts about our favorite baby birds, and test your natural history …
News
Texas Ranchers Gather for How-to on Wildlife-Friendly Grasslands
October 5, 2017
NEWS: More than 40 agricultural producers gathered recently at Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in Texas for an LPCI workshop on managing rangelands to improve wildlife …
News
Introducing ‘Sagebrush Connections’, A Magazine About Proactive Conservation Partnerships
October 3, 2017
by Thad Heater | The inaugural issue of our new partnership magazine focuses on conserving water resources in sagebrush …
News
New Kansas Conservation Easement Protects Lesser Prairie-chickens
September 26, 2017
NEWS: The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has finalized permanent conservation agreements with three private landowners to conserve 3,682 acres of …
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 …
News
Fire + Grazing Reduces Wildfire Fuels, Helps Prairie-Chickens, New Research Shows
September 25, 2017
NEWS: New research shows that patch-burn grazing, which mimics historic patterns of fire and grazing, significantly reduces wildfire fuels. What’s more, it creates the kind of …
News
Local Partners Mimic Beavers To Restore Streams In Wyoming
September 22, 2017
SGI field conservationist Mandi Hirsch shares emerging “beaver dam analogue” technology with local partners, which is paying dividends for working lands and wildlife near …
News
Final Report Released on 2017 Lesser Prairie-Chicken Aerial Survey
September 18, 2017
The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has released the detailed report of the 2017 aerial survey of lesser prairie-chickens. Read all about …
News
Webinar: Estimating The Economic Impact Of Sage Grouse Conservation On Ranches
September 15, 2017
When: Friday, September 29, 2017 | 10:00 AM MST Host: University of Wyoming Watch the On-Demand Replay …
News
Digital Storefront Tells Stories of Public Land Sagebrush Partnerships
September 13, 2017
A new website, PartnersInTheSage.com, tells stories of how collaborative public-private sagebrush conservation benefits people, wildlife, and communities in the …
News
Military, Conservationists, Rancher Join Forces For Economy And Wildlife In Nevada
September 12, 2017
The NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative partners with the Dept. of Defense and others to conserve the Smith Creek Ranch in the heart of Nevada’s sagebrush …
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
Inmates Are Growing Sagebrush in Western Prisons for Wildlife Conservation
September 8, 2017
By Ben Long in Outdoor Life | People incarcerated in state prisons in the West are working to help secure the future of the native big game and game birds of the American …
News
New Conservation Agreements Protect Lesser Prairie-Chicken Habitat
August 29, 2017
NEWS: The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has finalized permanent conservation agreements with a private landowner to conserve high-quality lesser …
News
Grazing Management In Perspective: A Compatible Tool For Sage Grouse Conservation
August 28, 2017
New research shows that — done right — livestock grazing may help conserve sage grouse habitat by keeping working ranches profitable and …
News
COOL GREEN SCIENCE | The Stream Whisperer Restores Sage Grouse Habitat
August 23, 2017
by Brianna Randall | Bill Zeedyk teaches Westerners how to “think like water” to restore precious wet habitat in the sagebrush …
News
New State of the Birds Report: Farm Bill Pays Off For People & Birds
August 10, 2017
The Farm Bill is America’s single largest source of conservation funding for private lands. The 2017 ‘State of the Birds’ report shows the many benefits its programs have …
News
USDA Releases Five-Year Strategy to Boost Forest Health and Help Golden-winged Warbler
August 9, 2017
NEWS: A new five-year conservation strategy details efforts to support private landowners managing for healthier forests in the Appalachian Mountains. It’s part of an ongoing …
News
Ranch Conservation Partnership Thrives In Eastern Montana
August 7, 2017
by Leo Barthelmess | Ranchers working with the NRCS and others are helping sustain and improve habitat in a way that also improves ranch …
News
New Framework Helps Plan Next Generation Of Sagebrush Restoration
August 2, 2017
Innovative new research on conifer removal spans the life cycle of sage grouse, helping managers increase the efficiency of future work to restore sagebrush …
News
New Video Shows how LPC Range-wide Plan Works For Wildlife and Landowners
July 31, 2017
NEWS: The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has released a new video show how the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan is conserving habitat for …
Sage Whiz Quiz
Sage Whiz Quiz | Do You Know Your Western Roots?
July 24, 2017
Test your knowledge of plants that live on sagebrush rangelands, and learn fun facts about native plants’ root systems in the American …
News
Latest Science Reveals Most Effective Conifer Removal Treatments
July 13, 2017
New research on conifer cutting and prescribed burning helps resource managers and landowners plan sagebrush conservation projects that deliver the best results for the bird …
News
Webinar: Partnering with Beaver to Benefit Sage Grouse and Working Lands – Restoring Emerald Islands in the Sagebrush Sea
July 10, 2017
When: Wednesday, July 26, 2017, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. EST Host: Association of State Wetland Manager Click here to watch the on-demand …
News
Aerial Surveys Confirm Lesser Prairie-Chicken Population Holding Steady
July 7, 2017
NEWS: Results are in for the 2017 lesser prairie-chicken aerial survey, and they’ve brought welcome news. The survey indicates an estimated breeding population of 33,269 …
News
Meet Greg: A Sagebush Habitat Hero
June 27, 2017
by Jodi Stemler | Check out this multimedia story about how an SGI-enrolled rancher is leading the way in stewarding working lands and wildlife on his ranch in Colorado’s …
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 …
News
Prairie-chicken Restoration Efforts Take Flight in Southeast Colorado
June 19, 2017
LPCI NEWS RELEASE: Why did the lesser prairie-chicken cross the state line? If Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) biologists are successful, the answer will be to …
News
Keeping Water In Colorado’s Gunnison Basin
June 12, 2017
A collaborative partnership using innovative techniques to restore wet meadows in the Gunnison Basin is paying off for people and …
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
Research Sheds Light on Nocturnal Habits of Lesser Prairie-Chickens
June 6, 2017
NEWS: Until recently, scientists had very little data on the bird’s after-hours behavior and habitat preferences. Researchers from Oklahoma State University are filling int he …
News
Animal Tales: A Great White Sage Grouse
June 5, 2017
by Tracie Fernandez | Learn how this puffed-up male sage grouse achieved its rare (lack of) color … and whether it might work to attract females, …
News
Video Series on Conserving Water in Sage Country
May 31, 2017
by Hannah Ryan | This three-part video series helps ranchers and partners learn about resources available for conserving precious wet habitat in the …
News
Wildlife Journal Spotlights Lesser Prairie-Chicken Conservation
May 15, 2017
NEWS: Lesser prairie-chickens take top billing in the latest issue of The Wildlife Professional, trade journal of The Wildlife Society, an international scientific and …
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
“Ranching Gone Right,” Thanks To Partners Like The Nature Conservancy
May 8, 2017
As a valued partner in the Sage Grouse Initiative, The Nature Conservancy works with landowners across the range on innovative grazing systems, conservation easements, and …
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
New Science: Sage Grouse Population Increases When Western Juniper Pushed Back
April 27, 2017
A new study funded in part by the NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative found that survival rates of both female sage grouse and their nests increased where encroaching juniper …
News
Wildhorse Ranch Project: A Win-Win Partnership To Protect Sagebrush Range
April 21, 2017
Innovative conservation easement with ranchers, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Nevada Dept. of Wildlife, and NRCS preserves agricultural working lands, wildlife habitat, and …
News
How Do Conservation Easements Work?
April 20, 2017
In Montana, landowners have partnered with local land trusts to conserve 2 million acres. Expert Lisa McCauley from NRCS explains why easements work for ranchers and …
News
New Mexico Range Managers Put Science to Work for Prairie-Chickens
April 14, 2017
LPCI NEWS RELEASE: For wildlife biologist Randy Howard, a new mapping tool developed by lesser prairie-chicken researchers is an essential part of restoring habitat for …
News
New USFWS Collaboration Expands Science Tools To Sage-Steppe
April 10, 2017
Thanks to partners like the USFWS, the outlook is brighter for maintaining intact, healthy sagebrush habitat for 350+ species and the hundreds of communities that depend on …
News
Water Is Life: Introducing SGI’s Mesic Habitat Conservation Strategy
April 5, 2017
The NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative is proud to announce a new conservation strategy that empowers private ranchers and partners to protect and enhance the wet green places …
News
Lessons from the Heath Hen
April 3, 2017
From the failed attempt to save heath hens from extinction, we learned the importance of early intervention…and laid the groundwork for cooperative conservation of other …
News
Sage Grouse Need Intact Landscapes For Long-Distance Movement
March 28, 2017
New science shows that keeping big landscapes healthy and connected is essential for maintaining bigger-than-expected sage grouse …
News
10 Things You Can Do for Lesser Prairie-Chickens
March 14, 2017
NEWS: Whether or not you own prairie habitat, there’s still a whole lot you can do on behalf of lesser prairie-chickens and other prairie wildlife …
News
Operation Sage-Grouse: NWF Connects Youth and Conservation
March 13, 2017
Check out this video from the National Wildlife Federation on win-win partnerships that are making the skies safer for sage grouse through fence …
News
Lessons from the Heath Hen
March 11, 2017
NEWS: Eighty-five years ago today, the last living heath hen was seen for the last time. Though the effort to save the heath hen was unsuccessful, it laid the groundwork for …
News
Chords For Conservation: Music Inspired By The Sagebrush Sea
March 6, 2017
Listen to this just-released song by the River Whyless — featuring a new instrument created in honor of the sage grouse — which was inspired by the band’s experiences in the …
News
Easement Conserves Habitat For Gunnison Sage-Grouse in Colorado
February 27, 2017
The NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative helps fund conservation easement that keeps prime ranchland open and protects wildlife for generations to …
News
Chickens and Woody Encroachment: Research Presentations Available for Viewing
February 22, 2017
NEWS: On January 29, the Society for Range Management hosted an full-day symposium on the effects of woody encroachment on western grouse. The research presentations are now …
News
Now Available! Online Replay Of Scientific Presentations On Woodland Expansion
February 21, 2017
Watch free 20-minute presentations featuring the latest science on how removing invading conifers boosts water availability, forage production, and grouse …
News
Rancher K.D. Leander Leaves A Conservation Legacy in Eastern Washington
February 14, 2017
This late rancher’s early adoption of range conservation practices encouraged his neighbors to also enroll in Sage Grouse Initiative programs. Learn …
News
Brave Sage Grouse Strike Out Solo Over Long Distances
February 9, 2017
New research shows that a few individual greater sage-grouse travel more widely travel than anyone suspected, which makes the overall population …
News
Webinar: Cheap and Cheerful Stream and Riparian Restoration | Beaver Dam Analogues As Low-Cost Tool
February 7, 2017
When: March 22, 2017 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm EST Host: USDA NRCS Science and Technology Click here to watch the On-Demand …
News
Webinar: Off-Site Water for Riparian Health and Livestock Performance
February 3, 2017
When: February 14, 2017 | 9-10 am PST Host: NRCS West Technology Center Click here to watch the On-Demand …
News
What Do Sage Grouse Do All Winter?
February 1, 2017
Sage grouse are tough birds, surviving through cold winters in western North America. Learn how they thrive, even during the harshest …
News
Free Live-Broadcast Symposium: Impacts of Woodland Expansion at the Society for Range Management Conference
January 27, 2017
When: Jan. 31, 2017 in St. George, Utah Featuring 20 presentations on reducing woodland expansion! Click here for the On-Demand …
News
Conifer Removal Boosts Sage Grouse Success
January 26, 2017
New research shows that 86% of hens avoided nesting in sagebrush habitat invaded by conifers. Luckily, the studies also show that removing conifers in otherwise high-quality …
News
Helping Texas Ranchers and Wildlife, One Plan at a Time
January 24, 2017
NEWS: NRCS Range Management Specialist Clint Rollins works one-on-one with agricultural producers in the Texas Panhandle to develop conservation plans that benefit wildlife …
News
$8 Million Fund Created to Improve Water Quality and Conserve Greater Sage-Grouse in the Eastern Sierra
January 20, 2017
Both the Bi-State population of greater sage-grouse and agricultural ranchlands will benefit from a just-announced $8 million USDA investment in California and …
News
Symposium: Identifying and Managing Threats to Great Basin Greater Sage-Grouse Populations
January 20, 2017
When: Tuesday, February 7, 2017 8:30am to 5:00pm Where: Peppermill Resort, Reno, Nevada Host: The Wildlife …
News
Science Reveals Sage Advice: Cut (the Right) Trees to Save Bird and Herd
January 16, 2017
New research shows that removing conifers can restore habitat for at-risk grouse as well as improve water availability and forage production for …
News
Webinar: Living with Beavers | Tools for Coexistence
January 16, 2017
When: January 24, 2014 | 9-10am PST Host: NRCS West Technology Center Click here to watch the On-Demand …
News
Rangeland Science Journal Publishes Special Issue On Woody Plant Encroachment
January 12, 2017
PRESS RELEASE: This month, the Society for Range Management’s scientific journal, Rangeland Ecology & Management, released a special issue focused entirely on the …
News
Science to Solutions: Mesquite Encroachment Impacts Lesser Prairie-Chickens
January 10, 2017
PRESS RELEASE: New research study quantifies the significant impacts of honey mesquite encroachment on lesser prairie-chickens in the southern Great Plains. Read more …
News
Rangeland Science Journal Publishes Special Issue On Reducing Woodland Expansion
January 10, 2017
The latest research — published in this month’s special issue of SRM’s Rangeland Ecology & Management science journal — shows the benefits of removing conifers for grouse, …
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
Webinar: Rangeland Management Strategies and Tools – Promoting Resiliency and Addressing Invasive Species
December 23, 2016
When: Thurs., Jan. 12, 9:30 to 11:00AM MST Host: Western Governors’ Association Watch the On-Demand …
News
Guzzling Water & Planting Sagebrush | What’s Happening For Sage Grouse On Public Land In Montana
December 20, 2016
Since half of all habitat for greater sage-grouse is on public land, most of it managed by BLM, restoring public rangeland is vital for the birds to thrive. Check out these …
News
A New Approach For Turning Science Into Action
December 13, 2016
Learn more about the “coproduction of actionable science.” At the Sage Grouse Initiative, it means a lot of phone calls, coffee chats, field tours, and honest conversations …
News
Oregon Rancher Mike Greeley Enhances Mahogany Mountain For The Bird And The Herd
December 6, 2016
Rancher Mike Greeley uses conservation-minded management to sustain his working lands in eastern Oregon for wildlife and livestock. Check out this video of Mike on his …
News
Fun Fact Friday: To Migrate Or To Staycation
December 2, 2016
by Nancy Patterson, BLM | Learn which birds head south and which birds make their home on the sagebrush range during the chilly winter …
News
NRCS to Expand Targeted Conservation Effort for Wildlife on Agricultural Lands
November 30, 2016
NEWS: From the northern bobwhite to trout and salmon, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is adding dozens of new target species to its Working Lands For Wildlife …
News
Colorado Ranchers Tap Sun To Deliver Water To Livestock & Improve Wildlife Habitat
November 23, 2016
by Michael Neary | Solar-powered water systems, installed with funding from SGI in Colorado, let livestock drink more easily and take pressure off ponds and …
News
Comprehensive ‘Ecosystem Resilience & Resistance’ Map Available For Entire Sage Grouse Range
November 15, 2016
Newly expanded visual tool on the SGI Web App allows managers to better predict and mitigate negative impacts of fire and cheatgrass across sagebrush …
News
New Research Finds That Sage Grouse Prefer Nesting In Conifer-Free Landscapes
November 10, 2016
Scientists tracked sage grouse nest success in southern Oregon, and found that hens avoided sites where conifer cover exceeded 3% within 800m of their …
News
Tag, you’re it! How do researchers track sage grouse chicks?
November 7, 2016
Meet expert Mark Szczypinski with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. He tells us all about how to track sage grouse hens and their …
News
Realizing “The True Potential” For Working Lands And Wildlife In Sagebrush Country
November 2, 2016
The NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative continues to build field capacity, expand our science team, and strengthen partnerships across the sagebrush landscape. Read our latest …
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
Sagebrush Songbirds Under the Sage Grouse Umbrella
October 25, 2016
New songbird maps provide tools to help expand the benefits of sage grouse conservation to more wildlife species in the sagebrush community. Learn more from our latest Science …
News
Healthy Range Is Productive Range For Sage Grouse, Prairie Chickens, And Cows
October 19, 2016
Sage grouse and lesser prairie-chickens both need healthy rangeland to thrive. So do cattle. Learn more about how NRCS is supporting range conservation practices that help …
News
SCIENCE TO SOLUTIONS: LPCI Conservation Practices Boost Lesser Prairie-Chicken Occupancy
October 18, 2016
SCIENCE TO SOLUTIONS: A recent study—the first part of a multi-year research project—shows that lesser prairie-chicken occupancy increases in areas where landowners are …
News
Roundtable: Rangeland Challenges in Western States, Wildfire and Habitat Conservation
October 17, 2016
When: Oct. 20, 2016 Hosts: Western Governors’ Association Click here to watch the …
News
Collaborative Conservation Is Paying Off For The Sagebrush Ecosystem
October 5, 2016
A new joint report and story map highlight continued sagebrush conservation partnerships that are working for wildlife and ranchers in the West. Learn more about “Greater …
News
New Research Provides Insights into Sage Grouse DNA
October 3, 2016
by Jennifer Hayes and Brianna Randall | New SGI research finds five genetic subpopulations of sage grouse in Montana and the Dakotas, which are synonymous with the existing …
News
What’s The Difference Between Gunnison And Greater Sage-Grouse?
September 28, 2016
Did you know that Gunnison sage-grouse have longer ponytails than greater sage-grouse? Learn more about the differences between the two species from expert Marcella Fremgen, a …
News
Tracking Success – 2016 Report | Maintaining Momentum To Conserve Sagebrush Country
September 22, 2016
As the Sage Grouse Initiative finishes our 6th year, we are proud to be a model for how to enhance working lands and wildlife. Check out our “Tracking Success – 2016 Report” …
News
New study measures fence collision mortality, informs conservation
September 19, 2016
NEWS: A recent study of more than 1,700 miles of livestock fences in Kansas and Colorado found little evidence of fence collision mortality. Read about the report and its …
News
SGI Workshop Explores ‘Cheap and Cheerful’ Riparian Restoration to Benefit Wildlife and Ranchers
September 15, 2016
At a recent SGI-sponsored workshop, practitioners from around the West learned from beavers about how to heal streams and store water longer on the range. See the photos and …
News
A Special Recipe For Saving Sage Grouse | Wildlife Photographic Magazine Feature
September 13, 2016
by Brianna Randall | This multi-media story about the Sage Grouse Initiative is the feature in the new issue of Wildlife Photographic Magazine. Learn more about SGI’s …
News
Report: Fence Markers Work To Prevent Sage Grouse Collisions
August 30, 2016
A new report released by the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies — and funded by an NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant — is the first study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of …
News
Kennedy Ranch Conservation Improvements Benefit Both Livestock And Wildlife In Utah
August 23, 2016
In northeastern Utah, the Kennedy family’s land ethic and commitment to improving natural resources has led them to expand their ranch. Learn how SGI helped them install water …
News
The Tree that Ate the West | bioGraphic Magazine
August 18, 2016
by Rebecca Heisman,bioGraphic | When mature juniper cover reaches just 4 percent—picture taking a standard checkerboard and filling in just two and a half of the …
News
“It’s About Working Lands For Agriculture And Working Lands For Wildlife”
August 16, 2016
by Lori Valdez | In Lavina, Montana, the Wessel Ranch worked with the Sage Grouse Initiative to improve rangeland for their cattle and prime habitat for wildlife like sage …
News
Why Grow Sagebrush Seedlings in Prisons?
August 11, 2016
The Sagebrush Project, part of the Sustainability in Prisons Project, expands the opportunities for 175 inmates in 11 prisons across 6 states by teaching them to grow …
News
Latest Report Shows Promising Progress To Protect The Sagebrush Sea
August 9, 2016
This latest report chronicles the results from April through June across 11 western states, including collaborative efforts to conserve over 2.8 million acres of habitat for …
News
Report: Maintaining Sagebrush-Covered Landscapes Keeps Water on the Land for Ranchers and Wildlife
August 4, 2016
by Justin Fritscher | Removing invading conifer trees improves the health of sagebrush ecosystems, providing better habitat for wildlife and better forage for livestock. And …
News
Sagebrush Rangelands Help Maintain Water Availability
August 3, 2016
Water delivery is delayed by an average of nine days in sagebrush systems compared to juniper-dominated systems. Holding water later into the summer season helps the 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
BREAKING NEWS: BLM Signs Agreement To Expand Collaborative Sagebrush Conservation Model
July 25, 2016
A new partnership between the Bureau of Land Management and the Intermountain West Joint Venture will build on the successful model pioneered by the NRCS-led Sage Grouse …
News
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Delists Lesser Prairie-Chicken in Accordance with Court Order
July 20, 2016
NEWS: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) yesterday fulfilled a court ruling that had vacated its Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing decision, by officially removing …
News
New Web-Based Tool Helps Save Sage Grouse From Fence Collisions
July 14, 2016
SGI’s interactive web app now features a map layer that helps land managers prioritize where to mark high-risk fences to protect birds. This user-friendly tool allows ranchers …
News
The Science of Sagebrush: Measuring the Resilience of Rangelands
July 11, 2016
by Joshua Dillon | An Oregon field trip with SGI partners examines the ability of sagebrush landscapes to recover from a fire. Read the full story …
News
Scientific Research Shows How To Reduce The Risk Of Crop Cultivation To Protect Sage Grouse
July 7, 2016
A new scientific study published in Biological Conservation explains how to reduce the threat of converting native sagebrush habitat into crops. Read how the research can be …
News
Fire Helps Kansas Rancher Restore Redcedar-infested Grasslands
July 6, 2016
LPCI PRESS RELEASE: When Tom Carr was a boy, redcedars were a rarity on his family’s ranch lands in south-central Kansas. By the early 2000s, cedars had overtaken the …
News
Latest Aerial Survey Documents Stable Lesser Prairie-Chicken Population Trends
July 6, 2016
NEWS: The 2016 lesser prairie-chicken aerial survey shows bird population trends remain fairly stable after five years of aerial survey data collection. While numbers were …
News
Getting Our Hands Dirty at the 6th Annual Sage Grouse Initiative Workshop Tour
July 6, 2016
Last week, range managers, ecologists, and wildlife biologists gathered in Montana to learn from landowners what works for the bird and the herd. Check out the photo story …
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New Easements in Montana Protect the Longest Known Sage Grouse Migration Corridor
June 30, 2016
The Nature Conservancy has secured conservation easements that preserve both the West’s ranching heritage and sage-grass habitat on 25,000 acres of the Carroll Ranch. The …
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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 …
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Passion for Wild Things–A Poet’s Perspective on WLFW Conservation
June 20, 2016
Behind all the science and strategy, a deep caring for the land underlies enduring conservation efforts within the Working Lands For Wildlife program, beautifully rendered in …
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Permanent Protection for Prairie-Chicken Habitat in Kansas
June 14, 2016
NEWS: The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has finalized the purchase of approximately 30,000 acres of high-quality lesser prairie-chicken habitat in …
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Teleconference: Broader Application of Working Lands for Wildlife
June 13, 2016
Monday, June 20, 2016 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. EST Watch the On-Demand Replay of this …
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Ask An Expert | How Does Removing Conifers Help Oregon’s Grouse?
May 31, 2016
Wildlife biologist Fozz Foster works on restoring and improving habitat in Oregon’s sagebrush sea. In this ‘Ask an Expert’ interview, he tells SGI about how he works …
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Secretary Jewell Announces $10 Million for Wildfire Resilience in the West
May 24, 2016
The new funds announced today by Secretary Jewell will complement Sage Grouse Initiative’s ongoing, cooperative work to remove conifers and restore sagebrush habitat in …
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Discussion Sessions: Rangeland Fire Management, Priority Science Needs
May 16, 2016
When: May 18, 11am-1pm & May 20, 2-4pm Host: Department of the Interior Click here to …
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Symposium Replay: Putting Resilience and Resistance Concepts into Practice
May 12, 2016
Symposium presented at the ‘Sagebrush Ecosystems Conservation: All Lands, All Hands’ conference in Feb. 2016 Sponsors: Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, The …
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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, …
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Webinar: Gunnison Basin Riparian and Wet Meadow Restoration and Resilience Project
May 4, 2016
Thursday May 12, 2016 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. MST Watch the On-Demand …
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USDA Unveils Three-Year Conservation Strategy for Lesser Prairie-Chicken on Working Rangelands
April 28, 2016
Just like in sage grouse country, the recipe for success to save the lesser prairie-chicken (an iconic grassland bird of the southern Great Plains) is investing in proactive, …
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USDA Unveils Three-Year Conservation Strategy for Lesser Prairie-Chicken
April 28, 2016
LPCI PRESS RELEASE: The USDA today announced the release of a three-year conservation strategy that will guide the voluntary restoration of 500,000 acres of habitat for the …
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Oregon Ranchers Raise Cattle With A Conservation Vision
April 25, 2016
“Our belief is that we need to make things better, and leave a legacy for our kids and our grandkids and the neighborhood as a whole,” says Oregon rancher Mark Bennett. Read …
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SGI Introduces New Resources That Show Why Roots Matter in the Sage-Steppe
April 21, 2016
In the West’s sagebrush sea, most of the plant matter grows below your feet — just like an upside-down forest. SGI is releasing a new poster and postcard that show the …
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Conservation Integral At O’Tooles’ Ladder Ranch in Wyoming
April 19, 2016
Pat and Sharon O’Toole make their living by ranching on the sagebrush sea along the Wyoming-Colorado border. They raise sheep and cattle, sage grouse and trout, as well as …
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Map Layer Identifies Risk of Converting Sagebrush to Cropland
April 13, 2016
Today, the Sage Grouse Initiative is unveiling a new layer on our interactive web application that shows where the risk of cropland conversion is highest. The new “cultivation …
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Plans To Save Bi-State Sage Grouse in Nevada Gain Momentum
April 12, 2016
By Sean Whaley | “We’re ‘all in’ to make a difference for this bird over the long term,” said Thad Heater, Sage Grouse Initiative’s national coordinator, in this …
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New Science: Conifer Removal Restores Habitat for Lesser Prairie Chickens
April 4, 2016
Conifer encroachment spells bad news for birds that need intact, wide open spaces–sage grouse and lesser prairie-chickens included. This new report released by our partner, …
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New NRCS Resource Aims to Reduce Wildfire Impacts in Sage Grouse Country
March 31, 2016
A new resource released by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will help private and public land managers work collaboratively to get ahead of the curve and …
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SCIENCE TO SOLUTIONS: Redcedar Removal Restores Lesser Prairie-Chicken Habitat
March 24, 2016
SCIENCE TO SOLUTIONS: The science is in! A new study resoundingly confirms that redcedar encroachment greatly impacts lesser prairie-chickens. Our new Science to Solutions …
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Seeding Techniques for Sagebrush Community Restoration After Fire
March 22, 2016
By Jeff Ott, Anne Halford, and Nancy Shaw | This new Great Basin Fact Sheet outlines important considerations and options for post-fire seeding, including the selection of …
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Montana Outdoors Magazine | “Ranching the Best Hope for Grassland Songbirds”
March 18, 2016
by Catherine Wightman | Ranchers manage their land to sustain grass production, which benefits bovines and birds on Montana’s agricultural …
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Growing Spirit of Collaboration, Partnership & Innovation is “The West at its Best”
March 15, 2016
By Jason Weller and Larry Selzer | This opinion article by USDA-NRCS Chief Weller and The Conservation Fund President and CEO, Larry Selzer describes how the Sage Grouse …
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How Do Sage Grouse Mate?
March 14, 2016
Learn for sagebrush expert Trisha Cracroft, NRCS Idaho State Biologist, about when sage grouse congregate to strut their stuff, and why healthy sagebrush is important for hens …
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CSU Researcher’s Work Boosts Sage Grouse Conservation Project
March 9, 2016
by Mary Guiden | “The new web app and map make sure people on the ground have the best science,” says Dave Naugle, SGI Science …
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New Research + Movie: Wet Habitats On Private Lands Critical For Sage Grouse
March 7, 2016
A new study and a complementary video of two hens’ summer movements show that wet islands of green in the sagebrush sea provide vital foraging habitat for growing sage grouse …
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Webinar: Sagebrush Ecosystem Curriculum Training
March 6, 2016
When: Thursday, March 9, 2016 | 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. PST Host: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Watch the recorded webinar …
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The Progressive Rancher | Science and Tech Bolster USDA, Partners’ Conservation Work in Western States
March 3, 2016
by Heather Emmons | The Progressive Rancher published the following story about the Sage Grouse Initiative’s new interactive web application in its March 2016 issue. Read on …
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Webinar: Strategic Cheatgrass Management in Sagebrush Ecosystems
February 29, 2016
Wednesday, April 6, 2016 10:00 – 11:00 am MST Hosts: NRCS West National Technology Support Center Click here for On-Demand Webinar …
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SGI Unveils Interactive Web Application To Bolster Wildlife Conservation Work
February 23, 2016
Today, the Sage Grouse Initiative is unveiling a new tool to catalyze and improve habitat conservation efforts across the western United States. The free SGI Interactive Web …
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Conservation Working For Ranchers And Sage Grouse In The West
February 18, 2016
by The Conservation Fund | The Conservation Fund’s Wyoming Sage Grouse Campaign has conserved 15 properties in partnership with SGI and others. We are proud to partner with …
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Webinar: Birds in the Sagebrush Ecosystem
February 17, 2016
Wednesday, January 27, 2016 Host: Bird Conservancy of the Rockies Click here for On-Demand Webinar …
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Partnerships on the Range Continue to Accelerate Conservation
February 2, 2016
Our team of dedicated and enthusiastic range conservationists, wildlife biologists, and natural resource specialists make a difference for landowners and for wildlife across …
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How do Lesser Prairie-Chickens Survive the Winter?
February 2, 2016
FIELD REPORT: Biting winds, deep snows, frigid temperatures–how do prairie wildlife make it through the winter? LPCI wildlife biologist Amy Erickson reports in from Portales, …
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A Game-Changing Approach to Conservation in the West
February 2, 2016
“My neighbors have all been getting on board one by one, now that they are seeing how well it’s working,” says Oregon rancher John O’Keeffe. Read this opinion piece by …
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Tracks in the Sand
January 21, 2016
FIELD REPORT: LPCI wildlife biologist Amy Erickson explores the sand dunes of eastern New Mexico, where tracks in the sand reveal the presence of the many animals that live …
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Grazing and Sagebrush Treatments: A 25-year Case Study in Utah
January 9, 2016
The newest Science to Solutions report is based on findings from a 25-year case study on a ranch in Utah. The study shows that sustainable grazing practices and sagebrush …
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NRCS and Texas Ranchers Team up for Conservation
January 7, 2016
NEWS: By taking part in voluntary NRCS conservation planning and range practices, Texas ranchers are conserving vital habitat for lesser prairie-chickens, State …
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New Report Highlights LPCI Conservation Across the Range
January 4, 2016
LPCI PRESS RELEASE: New report highlights Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative habitat conservation successes across the lesser prairie-chicken’s range in the Southern Great …
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The Future For Sage Grouse, Elk, & the 40 Million Acres of Sagebrush They Share | Bugle Magazine
December 16, 2015
By Nicky Ouellet | This article appeared in the Jan/Feb 2016 issue of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s “Bugle” magazine, and explores how conservation efforts can benefit …
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Webinar: Grazing Strategies for Riparian and Wet Meadow Improvement in the Sagebrush Steppe
December 9, 2015
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. PST Click here for On-Demand Webinar …
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The Role of Sand Sagebrush in Prairie Grasslands
December 3, 2015
FIELD REPORT: Roll the gray-green foliage of sand sagebrush between your fingers, and you’ll catch the spicy aroma of a plant that’s an important part of the prairie …
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Human Connections Drive Habitat Conservation
December 1, 2015
By Tiffany Russell | This blog is about connecting people to talk about how wildlife and humans can thrive together. It describes a recent Ranch Conservation Tour, co-hosted …
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Woody Fuels Reduction in Wyoming Big Sagebrush Communities
November 20, 2015
By Eugene W. Schupp, Chad S. Boyd, and Shane Green | This new Great Basin Fact Sheet discusses how reducing woody plant cover can increase the production of perennial grasses …
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Texas Rancher Creates Habitat Legacy
November 19, 2015
NEWS: For third-generation farmer and rancher Steve Rader, diversity is the key to ranch sustainability. Read about how his range conservation practices are creating a …
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Assessing Impacts of Fire on Runoff and Erosion
November 18, 2015
Frederick B. Pierson, C. Jason Williams and Peter R. Robichaud | This fact sheet provides an overview of the hydrologic impacts of fire, as well as the effectiveness of …
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Seeding Big Sagebrush Successfully on Intermountain Rangelands
November 14, 2015
By Susan E. Meyer and Thomas W. Warren | This fact sheet provides land managers with state-of-the-art information on establishing big sagebrush through direct seeding, …
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Field Staff Continue to Make a Big Difference for Wildlife and People
November 3, 2015
Read the latest report that tells the conservation story of the Sage Grouse Initiative’s Strategic Watershed Action Team, and the impressive numbers behind their hard work in …
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Landowners Create Legacy Of Open Land Across The West
November 2, 2015
By Steve Holmer | The American Bird Conservancy’s blog features the Sage Grouse Initiative as a case study for how partnerships with private landowners are the key to …
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Assessing Fuel Loads in Sagebrush Steppe and PJ Woodlands
October 22, 2015
By Stephen C. Bunting and Jeff Rose | This fact sheet helps define wildland fuels and review the approaches used to assess fuel loads in the Great …
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Wind Erosion Following Wildfire in Great Basin Ecosystems
October 19, 2015
By Matthew J. Germino | Wind erosion is a problem in the Great Basin, particularly following large wildfires. This factsheet helps resource managers with a “how to” for …
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New Study on Habitat Use Yields Insights for Prairie-Chicken Management
October 14, 2015
LPCI PRESS RELEASE: A recently published research study examines factors affecting space use by female prairie-chickens at ten sites across the Great …
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Management of Aspen in a Changing Environment
October 14, 2015
By: Douglas J. Shinneman, Anne S. Halford, Cheri Howell, Kevin D. Krasnow, and Eva K. Strand | This fact sheet provides information to help identify different aspen types, …
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Kansas Rancher Puts Expired CRP Grasslands to Work for Cattle and Wildlife
October 13, 2015
LPCI PRESS RELEASE: Kansas rancher Dwight Abell is shifting his expired CRP grasslands to cattle grazing with LPCI assistance, a win-win proposition for his cattle operation …