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 that sage grouse conservation is best achieved through working cooperatively on private lands

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 works with landowners on grazing plans and conservation practices that are good for the grouse and good for livestock.

Successful post-fire recovery hinges on the growth of perennial understory plants, especially perennial grasses that provide livestock forage and wildlife habitat. This fact sheet provides guidelines for maintaining productive sagebrush-steppe communities in grazed areas after fire.

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 grazing lands. Read more in this new Science to Solutions report.

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 rangeland, and all of the people and wildlife who depend upon these landscapes.

South Dakota Rancher Ron Steineke makes water delivery and grazing improvements that benefit his cattle along with sage grouse and other wildlife.