Greater Sage-Grouse and Grazing Management

Sagebrush Grasslands

The wide open sagebrush plains in Montana constitute an important natural resource. Known as the sagebrush steppe, they are important lands for those who make a living from the land as well as for wildlife. The sagebrush steppe provides an important habitat for a diversity of plants and wildlife including big game, game birds, song birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. When managed properly, these lands contribute to ranch forage production, water recharge, water quality, recreation and flourishing ranching communities.

The greater sage-grouse is one species that depends on this habitat throughout its life cycle. The following links provide more information on the relationships among sage-grouse, the sagebrush steppe, and human activities.

• What Are the Issues?
• A Landowner's Guide to Quick and Inexpensive Things You Can Do to Help Sage-Grouse
• Sage-Grouse Videos
• Common Questions About Sage-Grouse
• Don't Fence Me In

Montana 2009 Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Conservation Strategy  New!

• Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Conservation Strategy

Technical and Financial Assistance for Responsible Rangeland Management in Sage-Grouse Range

Technical and financial assistance available from NRCS can help landowners maintain diverse, productive, sustainable rangelands. Through NRCS’s technical assistance and incentive-based programs ranchland operators are helped in the design and implementation of grazing management systems that have positive effects on forage production, water recharge, water quality, and wildlife such as the sage-grouse.

• Technical Assistance
• Financial Assistance
• Project Examples
  • NRCS, Livestock Producers Benefit Sage-Grouse in Golden Valley
  • NRCS Program Helps Ranchers Help Sage-Grouse in Central Montana
  • CX Ranch Juniper Project

Male sage-grouse during spring courtship display.	Diverse vegetation of the sagebrush steppe includes grasses and forbs.

Related Information

Information on the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Web Site

• Conservation in Action. See Comprehensive Fish and Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CFWCS).
• Sage-Grouse Management
  • Local Working Groups
  • Montana Sage-Grouse Management Plan
  • Project Library
• Wildlife Habitat. See Montana Sagebrush Bibliography and Sagebrush Bulletin.

Information from the Montana Sage-Grouse Management Plan

• Recreational Disturbance of Sage-Grouse
• Predation
• Livestock Grazing Management
• Harvest Management

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Last Modified: 10/12/2009