Sage-Grouse Working Group Forum

Juniper Mastication to Restore Sage-Grouse Brood Rearing Habitat

Spatial Interest — 2011-12-28T11:23:51-08:00

Juniper Control Projects - Final Report

Bennett Ranch Site - Sage Grouse Habitat Improvement

Spatial Interest — 2011-12-08T05:49:39-08:00

Sage Grouse Habitat Improvement

View video that explains juniper mastication as a technique to improve sage grouse habitat.

The link also includes panoramas of restoration sites

May 25th Field Tour

Spatial Interest — 2011-06-08T12:52:38-07:00

Field Tour - May 25, 2011

We held a recent follow-up tour on May 25, 2011 in the Owyhee's and also looked at additional sites for juniper treatments on private lands and state-school land sections. The treatment sites we did look excellent with an abundance of native grasses and forbs.

The 20+ participants were impressed with the quick response to the release of water, nutrients and sun light to stimulate abundant growth of good native plants to benefit species like sage-grouse and antelope. They were also amazed at how well the mastication chips are composting into the soil to benefit plants and insects.
Art Talsma

Sage Grouse Habitat in Idaho

Spatial Interest — 2010-06-10T12:19:51-07:00

A new guide will aid land owners and managers working in sage grouse range conditions. The report explains the life cycle and habitat requirements of sage grouse. The University of Idaho and partners prepared the guide, and the document is available on the Web or in hardcopy. Read more>>

Sage Grouse Initiative Announced

Spatial Interest — 2010-03-15T12:05:11-07:00

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new initiative to protect sage grouse population and habitat in 11 western states using two popular U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs�Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP). Read more>>

The NRCS and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife adopted a strategy to implement the incentives within Oregon. Juniper expansion into key habitat is a targeted component of the strategy. Read more>>

Ecology and Conservation of Greater Sage-Grouse: A Landscape Species and Its Habitats

Spatial Interest — 2009-12-07T08:59:34-08:00

Greater sage-grouse populations have declined substantially in many areas in the West, though populations in some locations remain relatively stable, according to a comprehensive publication written by federal, state, and non-governmental organizations.

The population assessment is one of numerous sage-grouse topics covered in the 24 chapters released today. These research results have been used to inform the ongoing U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service status review to determine whether or not the greater sage-grouse, a large, native game bird, requires protection under the Endangered Species Act. The current distribution of the species, which is half of its estimated historical range, extends across 11 states and part of two Canadian provinces.

Release of this peer-reviewed information is occurring under special arrangements with the authors, the University of California Press, and the Cooper Ornithological Society. The early release on the U.S. Geological Survey's Web site at http://sagemap.wr.usgs.gov/monograph.aspx is occurring because of the information�s relevance to pending management decisions.

Sage-Grouse Advisory Committee Newsletter

Spatial Interest — 2009-11-19T11:00:08-08:00

The Fall 2009 newsletter i is available, and includes an article about the mastication project. Read more>>

Western Juniper Encroachment - Central Oregon

Spatial Interest — 2009-11-19T05:51:43-08:00

The Forest Service published a research article entitled Characteristics of Western Juniper Encroachment into Sagebrush Communities in Central O regon

The study concludes that juniper encroachment in the John Day province presents a substantial risk to sagebrush communities, and intensive management actions to remove the trees is a prudent strategy.

Slideshow from October 14th Field Demo

Spatial Interest — 2009-11-01T17:23:58-08:00

Slideshow from Sep 30 Field Demo

Ken Miracle — 2009-10-01T12:44:39-07:00