A new bi-partisan commentary came out yesterday in Roll Call by Bruce Knight and Dave White, both former chiefs for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. These two conservation experts agree that voluntary programs–like the Sage Grouse Initiative–that improve water, soil, and wildlife habitat are programs that unite Republicans and Democrats.

This month, SGI and SWAT staff gathered together on the California-Nevada border to share notes, and learn from the unprecedented conservation efforts centered around the Bi-State distinct population of Greater sage-grouse. The highlight of the meeting was an award ceremony that recognized cooperative conservation leaders in the region.

High Country News senior editor Jodi Peterson does an excellent job of introducing readers to the conservation history of sage grouse, and the landscape-scale collaborative efforts underway to save this unique bird and its dwindling habitat.

The Department of Defense announced more than $2 million in funding from the Military Services’ Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program to protect prime greater sage-grouse habitat in Nevada, a collaborative project with diverse partners.

According to a new report by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the population of the greater sage-grouse has grown by nearly two-thirds since 2013 across the West.

According to scientists in Western states, greater sage-grouse numbers in the West have grown by nearly two-thirds since 2013, marking what could be a significant rebound to the bird’s previous several years of decline.

We are pleased to announce a few staff changes within SGI, which will build our capacity and allow us to deliver even more voluntary conservation programs to landowners throughout the West.

We are pleased to announce the arrival of the Sand County Foundation’s publication “Stories From The Range,” which features six different ranchers’ sage grouse conservation successes, including SGI projects.

Last week, National Geographic Magazine featured an in-depth story on sage grouse, including SGI’s conservation efforts centered around these dwindling upland birds.

Oregon Public Broadcasting ran an excellent video story about sage grouse on Oregon Field Guide, which is nominated for a Northwest Regional Emmy Award. The video, produced by Vince Patton, stars SGI biologist, Jeremy Maestas, who guides viewers on an action-packed tour of a high-desert lek at dawn.