Discover the iconic denizen of the sagebrush sea at the High Desert Museum’s new exhibit in Oregon, “Sage Grouse: Icon of the Sagebrush Sea.” This exhibit explores the birds’ role in the sagebrush ecosystem, the unprecedented conservation efforts to save it, as well as its important cultural value to Native Americans, hunters, and birdwatchers.

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 also been for the hundreds of other scientists who are working on sage-grouse. But suddenly, this species was now in the consciousness of many other Americans, too.

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 stood at the ready, my tool to count sage grouse during their annual quirky courtship dance.

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 make sure a willing landowner could accomplish as much as possible to improve conditions for the eastern Washington’s sage grouse.

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 its sixth year, the Sage Grouse Initiative is a key catalyst for the voluntary, partnership-based work that is conserving America’s sagebrush sea.

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 used by several bird species commonly found in sagebrush communities throughout the Intermountain West.

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

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 lands by private landowners is leading the way in restoring habitat for threatened wildlife species in the West.