Last month, the 2020 SageCon Summit drew hundreds of participants from across the sagebrush biome for a dynamic virtual conference. The Sage-Grouse Conservation (SageCon) Partnership advances policies and actions that reduce threats to sagebrush ecosystems and wildlife as well as rural communities in Oregon, yet their work resonates throughout the West. Their annual summit featured the status and trends with Oregon’s sage grouse populations as well as wildfire response with lessons learned, the economic values of investing in rangelands, and how to achieve meaningful outcomes through collaboration.

Here below are two sessions from the summit led by journalist Ashley Ahearn that are excellent examples on how to communicate about the value and complexity of sagebrush country. These presentations provided a depth and diversity of insights about how to share the wonders of this incredible ecosystem through compassionate storytelling, breaking down the science, and featuring underrepresented voices.

Keynote: Journey into Sagebrush

The keynote of the summit was delivered by Ahearn who left her job at the leading NPR station in Seattle and moved to rural Washington sagebrush country after the 2016 election. There, she fell in love with sage grouse. In her talk for SageCon she speaks about what these strange, troubled birds can teach us about ourselves, our relationship with nature, and the divisions we face in our country today. This keynote explores the challenge of communicating with the general public about these “wicked problems” and how she is helping play a role in the conservation of sagebrush country by telling its stories. Ashley plays excerpts from her 8-part podcast series, Grouse, which aired on NPR member stations across Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, and Nevada.

Watch Ahearn’s keynote called “Journey into Sagebrush” here.

Panel: Collaborative Conservation- Achieving Meaningful Outcomes

Ahearn also moderated a panel about how achieving conservation outcomes is challenging, especially when the collection of threats is so complex. Collaborative partnerships are one approach amongst a variety of strategies or approaches people take to try and get their interests met. Panelists answered the question: Can a collaborative partnership actually work? The members on this panel had a great, rigorous conversation and they included:

Jeremy Austin: Policy Manager, Oregon Natural Desert Association
Amy Sturgill: Bi-State Sage-Grouse Data and Communications Coordinator
Dr. Jessica Western: Senior Research Scientist - Human Dimensions of Natural Resources, University of Wyoming

Watch this panel called “Collaborative Conservation- Achieving Meaningful Outcomes” here.