Sage Grouse Workshops Planned

sage grouse

As part of a 2004 NRCS Action Plan to work with private landowners to protect and enhance habitat for sage grouse, NRCS is sponsoring three workshops this spring in Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming to train field staff on the habitat requirements of this species.

Additionally, Congress has encouraged NRCS to dedicate additional funds in 2005 toward the conservation of sage grouse. In 2004, the Grassland Reserve Program targeted this species as did the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program.

 Sage grouse populations and its sage brush habitats of the intermountain west, have declined significantly over the last century. This bird is often referred to as an umbrella species, meaning as their numbers decline other sage brush habitat dependent species are probably declining. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering a petition to list the sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act.