Ranchers Scott and Alan Chew know what it’s like to work across borders. The Utah and Colorado boundary literally crosses through their property that’s part of vast sagebrush steppe known as Blue Mountain, found east of Vernal, Utah, and including part of Dinosaur National Monument.

“At a regional scale, the Sage Grouse Initiative, a partnership of ranchers, agencies, nonprofit groups and business interests was launched in 2010 by the Natural Resources and Conservation Service. The idea is to improve conditions so an Endangered Species Act listing is not necessary, and this is being done by developing local conservation practices in sage country to protect and in some cases restore the ecosystem, including its “flagship” animal, the greater sage grouse.”-David Cronenwett

A Montana upland bird hunting story connects the joy of the field experience with the conservation needed to keep sage grouse on the landscape for future generations.

Research led by The Nature Conservancy and released in mid-September validates efforts to limit the encroachment of juniper and other conifers in sagebrush habitats in order to maintain sage grouse populations, reports the Wildlife Management Institute.

Given the uncertain situation and virtually guaranteed reduced funding in the current farm bill debate, the conservation community needs win-win partnerships that use minimal federal dollars to enlist maximum acres and landowners.

..a project called the Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) is going full-bore to conserve the sage grouse and its habitat without imposing onerous regulations on freedom-loving Westerners. Employing a collaborative model of voluntary cooperation, incentives, and community support, SGI is a model for the sort of project that could help other troubled wildlife species – and avoid additional ESA listings in the process.” – Diana Rupp, Editor in Chief, Sports Afield

Joe Painter credits his grandfather for his appreciation of the sage grouse, sharptails, pheasants, ducks, wild turkeys and Hungarian partridge that share his windswept cattle ranch outside of the tiny town of Buffalo, in the far northwest corner of South Dakota.

“Establishing these pastures and rotational grazing has improved our bottom line. We’ve had more grass, so our livestock does better. We’re selling a higher weight product. We’re also leaving some grass, so we’ve improved the range condition. It’s a plus for both the livestock and the sage grouse.” – Bob Lehfeldt, Montana rancher