Collaborative Conservation Endures, Update from the Bi-State

Article by Amy Sturgill, Bi-State Sage-Grouse Data and Communications Coordinator and Sage Capacity Team member. Photos courtesy of the USGS.

A remote sagebrush sea situated along the California-Nevada border just east of the Sierra Nevada mountain range is home to the geographically isolated and genetically distinct Bi-State sage-grouse. While the subject of numerous Endangered Species Act listing petitions, the species’ story remains one of success thanks to the continuous hard work of a dedicated and diverse group of stakeholders.

The Bi-State Local Area Working Group (Bi-State LAWG), a collaboration of federal, state, and local government agencies, tribal members and representatives, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners, was formed in 2002 with the goal of establishing a landscape-level approach to the conservation and management of the Bi-State sage-grouse. In 2004, the group created their first conservation plan and began implementing projects to improve habitat conditions, however, by 2012 it had become apparent that additional on-the-ground actions were needed to ensure the success of this iconic species.

The result was the 2012 Bi-State Conservation Action Plan--an overarching, multi-year strategy backed by a $45 million funding commitment from Bi-State agency partners. The new plan analyzed relevant threats, summarized prior conservation efforts, and outlined a comprehensive set of objectives and actions designed specifically to provide ecological benefits to Bi-State sage-grouse.

Utilizing science-based, adaptive management and a collaborative conservation approach, the Bi-State LAWG has since allocated nearly $30 million to implement the Action Plan, completed over 1,400 projects, and improved habitat conditions for sage-grouse on approximately 113,000 acres. These efforts are ongoing and include population and habitat monitoring and the implementation of a wide variety of conservation projects including conifer treatment, habitat protection through conservation easements, meadow restoration, invasive weed removal, and modifications to infrastructure like roads, powerlines, and fences.

Last month, Bi-State partners were thrilled to be part of sharing some most welcome good news. After an extended and comprehensive analysis of the best available science, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a withdrawal of the 2013 proposed rule to list the Bi-State sage-grouse as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Their findings concluded that local conservation efforts have and will continue to successfully reduce threats to Bi-State sage-grouse and the habitats they depend on. This decision was a big win for Bi-State sage-grouse and for the Bi-State LAWG. 

The Bi-State LAWG has long been championed as a successful model for collaborative conservation. The group's willingness to seek common ground, share resources, and work across jurisdictional boundaries has helped to maintain sustainable sage-grouse populations and a healthy sagebrush ecosystem. The recent listing decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stands as a true testament to the effectiveness of using collaborative problem solving to achieve long-lasting conservation solutions. The Bi-State LAWG’s efforts have provided benefits not only to sage-grouse but to a myriad of other sagebrush species as well as the people who call the Bi-State home.

While these accomplishments have alleviated the need to list the species, partners remain keenly aware that threats to sage-grouse and their habitats persist. Therefore, the Bi-State LAWG will continue to strive to maintain healthy habitats and sustainable populations of Bi-State sage-grouse--ultimately, the fate of this iconic species depends on it.