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 can find and implement balanced solutions that enable our nation to meet its energy needs while also ensuring that wildlife and wild places can still thrive.

The Sagebrush Ecosystem Supports Abundant Wildlife
Many plants and animals depend on the sagebrush ecosystem, including the elk and moose that draw thousands of visitors to Yellowstone National Park in the summer. These magnificent species join one of the world's largest herds of pronghorn antelope to migrate to sagebrush terrain in winter. Other wildlife dependent on the sagebrush ecosystem include 60 species of concern, among them long-billed curlew and pygmy rabbit. 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." They are. The grouse eat sage, nest under it, and hide within this scrub to escape predators. In the past decade these imperiled birds have been hit by drought, West Nile virus, but nothing has been so devastating as habitat loss, diminishing their numbers to the point where they were proposed as an endangered species. Other sagebrush birds, including Sage Thrasher, Sage Sparrow, and Brewer's Sparrow, have suffered similar declines.

Success Through Collaboration
In Wyoming, Audubon has worked with other conservationists, ranchers, and state officials to map the most critical sage-grouse habitat, allowing it to be spared without curtailing energy development in other areas. This approach is gaining consensus throughout the west - Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal issued an executive order calling for the adoption of the plan. In Colorado, Governor Bill Ritter has initiated process that will also protect Sage-grouse and other species.

Giving a Green Light to Green Energy
Increasing renewable energy is essential to curb the unprecedented threat of global warming. Working with Google Earth and the National Resources Defense Council, Audubon is providing 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!