” To date, we have a half million acres of ranches in conservation plans that are protecting sage-grouse habitat and maintaining and improving grazing systems. If we don’t marry those two concepts up – wildlife habitat in conjunction with productive working ranches – we should take down our NRCS shingle and shut the doors.” Joyce Swartzendruber, State Conservationist, NRCS Montana

RENO, Nev. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the extension of the public comment period for 45 days on the proposal to protect the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of greater sage-grouse along the California-Nevada border as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Reporter Jimmy Tobias headed out to remote eastern Montana near Roundup to spend time with the Lehfeldt ranch family, enrolled in Sage Grouse Initiative programs, and to track collared sage grouse with Mark Szcyzpinksi, a wildlife research technician with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and Jenny Paddock, NRCS range specialist.

Sage grouse and wetland habitats are conserved together along with the future of a working ranch in Northwest Colorado. The closing of the Coyte Ranch conservation easement this week is a landmark achievement. It is a story of vision, tragedy, persistence, and optimism for the future of the great places of the Intermountain West.

Ray Owens is a ranch manager of the Bord Gulch Ranch, north of Craig, Colorado, in Moffat County. He may also be one of the most vigilant observers of sagebrush land, and an innovator who constantly searches for ways to improve the ranch for wildlife and livestock.

The state’s first fence-marking partnership project to prevent sage grouse collisions started not in Ekalaka, but another hour and a half drive from there into a vast sea of sage.

The December/January issue of Field and Stream magazine recognizes Ken Miracle of Boise, Idaho as one of it “Heroes of Conservation” for his tireless volunteering on behalf of sage grouse, including the Sage Grouse Initiative.

From: The Nature Conservancy Wyoming Annual Report 2013 (p. 11)