Greater Sage-Grouse Special Initiative

Sign up for E-mail updates on the Sage Grouse Initiative

NRCS is offering the Sage Grouse Initiative to ensure the enhancement and preservation of sage-grouse habitat and the sustainability of working ranches and farms in the western United States. USDA will use up to $16 million dollars through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) in 11 states to provide financial assistance to producers to reduce threats to the birds such as disease and invasive species and improve sage-grouse habitat.

Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Conservation Strategy - Includes Greater Sage-Grouse Core Areas Map

Montana has developed a long-term sage-grouse habitat protection strategy that identifies key “core” areas for sage-grouse populations in Montana. Sage-grouse are found in parts of 38 Montana counties. Sage-grouse populations tend to clump into comparably smaller identifiable core areas. These core areas contain a majority of the populations. Core areas are prioritized in Montana’s NRCS Strategic Plan in terms of distribution of the grouse populations. Higher priority will be given to applicants who have an NRCS approved grazing plan that addresses threats to sage-grouse and whose property is located in the core areas of the state.

In the News

• January 2013 - 2013 Sage Grouse Initiative Tracking Success Report Released (Sage Grouse Initiative Web site)
• March 2012 - New Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) Web Site Launched
• March 2011 - Saving Sage-Grouse Project Update
• January 2011 - Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) Recognizes NRCS for Sage-Grouse Initiative Accomplishments
• December 2, 2010 - NRCS Announces Increased Funding for Sage-Grouse Initiative in Montana
• April 13, 2010 - Federal Agencies Sign Agreement to Protect Sage-Grouse Habitat
• March 16, 2010 - NRCS-Approved Grazing Plan for Sage Grouse Occupied Montana Counties Given Higher Priority for Initiative Sign-Ups

Greater Sage-Grouse Field Indicator Guide

Greater Sage-Grouse and Grazing Management

The Greater Sage-Grouse and Grazing Management Web page offers additional information including the following:

• Common Questions About Sage-Grouse
• Sage-Grouse Publications, Guides, and Articles
• Sage-Grouse Web Sites
• Technical and Financial Assistance for Responsible Rangeland Management in Sage-Grouse Range

Videos

Contacts

Pete Husby, Biologist
Phone: 406-587-6902
Email: Pete Husby

Kris Berg, Program Specialist (EQIP)
Phone: 406-587-6849
Email: Kris.Berg

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Last Modified: 02/12/2013