The greater sage-grouse is the largest grouse in the Americas, at home in the West’s clean-scented high deserts and plains. At one time the bird picked its way through sagebrush in 13 states and three Canadian provinces, and numbered as many as 16 million. Today approximately 200,000 birds remain.
The sage-grouse lives in the heart of the American West with 350 other species of wildlife and plants. The Nature Conservancy has been working for decades with private and public partners to conserve this unique American bird and its habitat, for future generations of Americans and our wildlife.
Our Efforts Across the West
Our efforts focus on the following:
- Providing science and research to identify the best places to conserve sage-grouse habitat.
- Teaming with ranchers to improve range health.
- Purchasing land and voluntary conservation agreements to set aside critical habitat.
- Collaborating with energy and mining companies to avoid, minimize, and mitigate the impact of development activities.
Read More
Sage Grouse
At one time the bird picked its way through sagebrush in 13 states and three Canadian provinces and numbered as many as 16 million. Today approximately 200,000 birds remain.
The Sagebrush Sea Is Vanishing
The sagebrush sea, 150 million acres of complex grasses, shrubs and rare species, has dwindled to half its historical range. To protect what remains, TNC has launched the Sagebrush Sea Program.
Simple Structures Help Wildlife
Small rock structures – a concept created by Bill Zeedyk, a retired Forest Service biologist – are being constructed in Gunnison, Colorado to reduce the effects of rising temperatures on habitats and species.