Sage-grouse Initiative
NRCS developed the Sage-grouse Initiative to help private landowners voluntarily conserve sage-grouse populations and habitat on their working lands. In Idaho, NRCS identified potential threats to sage-grouse and their habitat and determined specific conservation practices to reduce those threats. Technical and financial assistance through EQIP is available for implementing the specific practices.
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has approximately $1.2 million in Sage-Grouse Initiative (SGI) funding available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Applications are accepted throughout the year. A sign-up deadline for 2016 funding will be announced in the future.
The ultimate goal of the Initiative is to help ensure sustainable use of good sagebrush habitat by both ranchers and wildlife such as the sage-grouse.
To alleviate threats that are within the control of the rancher, NRCS Idaho will be working with private landowners to implement these practices:
- Removing fences, installing perch deterrents, or marking fences to make them more visible - NRCS Practices - Obstruction Removal (500), Structures for Wildlife (649), Biology Tech Note 3.
- Grazing strategies that sustain range conditions and increased residual cover for nesting - NRCS Practices - Upland Wildlife Habitat (645), Prescribed Grazing (528), Fence (382), and Watering Facility (614).
- Management strategies that treat noxious weeds/invasive species - NRCS Practice - Herbaceous Weed Control (315).
- Increasing native plant species diversity, removing encroaching juniper, reducing wildfire risk - NRCS Practices - Brush Management (314), Riparian Herbaceous Cover (390), Prescribed Grazing (528), Range Planting (550), Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitat (643), Firebreak (394), and Critical Area Planting (342).
- Installing wildlife escape ramps into existing stock water tanks - NRCS Practice - Structures for Wildlife (649).
More Information:
Documents:
- Conference Report for the NRCS Sage-grouse Initiative (PDF; 2.8 MB)
- Idaho Department of Fish and Game Idaho Sage-grouse Conservation Plan 2006
- Idaho Monitoring Methods and Protocols for Sage-grouse Initiative (PDF; 28 KB)
- Prescribed Grazing - Conservation Practice Job Sheet (PDF; 40 KB)
- Prescribed Grazing - Habitat Improvement for Sage-grouse - Conservation Practice Specifications (PDF; 41 KB)
- Sage-grouse Threat Checklist (PDF; 26 KB)
- Species Habitat Evaluation for Greater Sage-grouse in Idaho (XLS; 94 KB)
- Sage-grouse Lek Survey Protocols for Idaho (PDF; 77 KB)
- Species Habitat Evaluation for Greater Sage-grouse in Idaho (XLS; 94 KB)
- Upland Wildlife Habitat Management - Habitat Improvement for Sage-grouse - Conservation Practice Specifications (PDF; 52 KB)
Links:
Sage Grouse Initiative - Wildlife Conservation Through Sustainable Agriculture
Idaho EQIP Sage-grouse Initiative Contacts
Local
Please contact the District Conservationist in the USDA Service Center nearest the location of your property.
Idaho EQIP Sage-grouse Initiative Program:
Technical Information: Trisha Cracroft, Idaho State Biologist, 208-378-5725, Trisha.Cracroft@id.usda.gov
Program Information: Ron Brooks: 208-378-5724, Ron.Brooks@id.usda.gov
