The sagebrush landscape has long epitomized the American West. But this unique habitat, home to scores of plants and animals, including the Greater Sage-Grouse, is rapidly disappearing. Already heavily impacted by oil and gas development, its high plains and sweeping vistas are also an important potential source of wind energy. Audubon’s Sagebrush Initiative engages industry, government and community leaders, ranchers, conservationists, and other stakeholders to protect this remarkable ecosystem – while also promoting the renewable energy development that is essential to combat global warming. Together, we are finding – and implementing -  balanced solutions that enable our nation to meet its energy needs while also ensuring that wildlife and wild places can still thrive.

A Landmark Victory
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages nearly one third of Wyoming’s land and is responsible for mineral rights on nearly two-thirds, making  it a critical player in deciding the future of wildlife and energy development in the state. The agency’s January 2010 announcement of  major changes in its leasing policies offered fresh hope for the survival of imperiled Greater Sage-Grouse, enhanced protection for other wildlife that share the western sagebrush ecosystem, and an innovative model to advance wildlife-friendly energy development nationwide.  It was a big victory for Audubon, for wildlife and for thoughtful energy development.

Hear from Audubon’s Brian Rutledge and Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal on why this matters.

Audubon’s Leadership Instrumental in New Approach
The new protocol embraced recommendations developed by a broad stakeholder task force convened by Wyoming governor Dave Freudenthal.  Audubon helped shape the group’s science-based approach by mapping Sage-Grouse habitat and contributing expertise on the species’ natural history and life cycle. The resulting protections limit energy development in the 20 percent of Wyoming land designated as “sage-grouse core areas,” which contain some of the last, best remaining breeding habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse.  These new rules protect habitat vital to 54 percent of the world’s remaining population, offer greater predictability in land use planning, and will likely help to avoid the necessity of an Endangered Species Act listing to save the iconic bird.

This balanced approach also addresses our nation’s energy needs. Inside Wyoming’s designated core sage-grouse habitat areas, oil or gas drilling will be limited to one pad per section (one square mile) while wind energy development will be effectively precluded due to the scale of habitat disruption it requires. However, in the 80 percent of Wyoming outside of these core areas as many as 60 well pads per square mile may be permitted. Audubon expects the new rules to redirect wind development activity toward the more appropriate land outside the core areas.  This will minimize negative impacts on wildlife and habitats and reduce potential hurdles for much-needed renewable energy.

A Model for a National Approach
Audubon urges the BLM to rapidly expand the policy across sagebrush habitat and beyond.    Montana and Colorado are already exploring core-area approaches. Along with saving the Sage-Grouse, their efforts are driven by hopes of protecting huge economic and recreational benefits.  
 
The Sagebrush Ecosystem Supports Abundant Wildlife
The Greater Sage-Grouse is perhaps its most iconic species; as Rachel Carson wrote in Silent Spring: "The sage and the grouse seem made for each other." The grouse eat sage, nest under it, and hide within it to escape predators. In the past decade these imperiled birds have been hit by drought and West Nile virus, but nothing has been so devastating as habitat loss, diminishing their numbers to the point where they are under consideration for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act. Previous energy development was a major factor in reducing Greater Sage-Grouse populations to between 10 and 20 percent of their historic levels.  Other sagebrush birds, including Sage Thrasher, Sage Sparrow, and Brewer's Sparrow, have suffered similar declines.

Many other plants and animals also depend on the sagebrush ecosystem, including elk and moose that draw thousands of visitors to the region, which includes Yellowstone National Park, each year. These magnificent species share habitat with pronghorn antelope, who participate in the longest migration of any land mammal in the lower 48 states – traveling from high mountain summer ranges to lowland sagebrush winter ranges. Other wildlife dependent on the sagebrush ecosystem include 60 species of concern, among them long-billed curlew and pygmy rabbit.

Giving a Green Light to Green Energy
Increasing renewable energy is essential to curb the unprecedented threat of global warming. Audubon worked with Google Earth and the National Resources Defense Council to provide maps and web resources to help decision-makers and the public make informed choices about proposed sites for wind turbines and transmission lines. By ensuring that these decisions protect wildlife and habitat, we can minimize site conflicts and expedite the process of green energy development.

Check us out on Google Earth!