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Sage-grouse a Good Fit for Sun Ranch
Story and Photos by Haley Lockwood,
NRCS Wyoming public affairs intern
![](DennisWeb.jpg) ![](Buffalo%20Cultural%20Resources%20059-%20DOC.jpg) ![](Buffalo%20Cultural%20Resources%20045-WEB.jpg)
Working with other stakeholders has been the normal for Dennis Sun and his
family, daughter Andrea and son Jeff. Sun and they are operating daily towards a
better environment. Like any ranching operation, it is multi-faceted and complex
at times. A series of cause and effects reflect on the landscape showing change
regularly, some good and some bad. Luckily, for Dennis Sun, owner of the Sun
Ranch west of Casper, Wyo., and publisher/owner of the Wyoming Livestock
Roundup, he has made those strides towards a healthier ranching operation.
The Sage-grouse is a ground-dwelling bird native to the sagebrush ecosystem of
the American West. It has experienced a significant decline in population over
several decades. Approximately 40% of all Sage-grouse are found in Wyoming.
The Sage-grouse Initiative
(SGI) spearheaded by the USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service
(NRCS) pro-actively addresses habitat loss and works to
keep population healthy enough to avoid an Endangered Species Act listing.
This relatively new program, which Sun implemented recently, has already been
successful in raising bird population. The Sun Ranch houses a large wintering
area for over 600 grouse, as well as annual habitat that is extremely important
to the overall population of this species since on one Sage-grouse lek over 300
birds have been counted. Scientific studies and Master’s senior thesis projects,
conducted by Cheryl Mandich who attended the University of Wyoming and Casper
College, began on the Sun Ranch and provided some insight about these birds.
In recent years, while the Sage-grouse population has increased, the numbers
were still low compared to 2005. Like many species, environmental factors, such
as habitat and weather, can mean increased or decreased numbers. According to
Mandich, who holds a master of science in zoology and physiology found that the
estimates of Sage-grouse annual survival range from 35% to 85%. A main concern
is loss of sagebrush habitat and cover that the birds rely on for winter and
summer survival. This translates into survival from predators like coyotes, fox,
ravens, and raptors. Findings from Mandrich’s thesis project and help through
the
SGI may further benefit the Sage-grouse population. Grazing management
practices have benefitted the population since more cover can be left for bird
cover. Intensive monitoring programs by the ranch in the past developed by
retired NRCS State Range Conservationist Everet Bainter, have created a detailed
inventory of habitat and grouse, inventory of ecological sites, potential growth
of plant diversity as well as inventory of sagebrush height and density that is
extremely important to grouse population. Through
SGI and Mandich’s work, Sun
has implemented additional practices to reach higher Sage-grouse numbers.
Traveling out to the Sun Ranch, miles and miles of sagebrush stretch out to the
horizon leaving the city of Casper far behind. Joint efforts from agencies such
as
(NRCS), Bureau of Land Management
(BLM), Natrona County Weed and Pest, and
Wyoming Game and Fish have helped Sun reach rangeland goals. Sun explained that
he did not have to make many changes to become a suitable candidate for
SGI.
Several things like fence reflectors and more escape ramps for stock tanks were
added to the Sun operation to help diminish the risk of bird death. In the past
ten years, they have implemented numerous range improvements including five
solar powered water wells, spring development, stream bank restoration, invasive
weed management and over 20 miles of new fence line to divide large pastures for
grazing management, thus adding to an improved ranching operation.
Sage-grouse may appear to be the key component with an emphasis on its habitat.
Like any ecosystem, an invisible web connects the land to the resource users. In
this case, other species like antelope, deer, coyotes, fox and raptors have a
large impact on the bird as well. If the habitat that those species rely on
improves, it is expected that the species living also thrive.
Sun’s future plans to improve habitat and production of his ranch consist of a
series of check dams on Casper Creek that raise the water table in the riparian
area and eventually lead Casper Creek to flow year around.
Earlier construction of these check dams in the upper reaches of Casper Creek
resulted in increased forage along the creek from 2,200 lbs of forage/acre to
5,500 lbs of forage/ acre, this created more habitat and wildlife use in the
area along with improved grazing due to the check dams.
The success of
SGI is dependent on individual producers like Sun. Progress such
as increased Sage-grouse numbers and improved sagebrush habitat happens in the
field on ranches such as the Sun Ranch. It is through the efforts of producers
like Dennis Sun that would help prevent the bird from being listed.
###
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lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800)
795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
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