Sagebrush Conservation Initiative

The Sagebrush Conservation Initiative was formed to identify and fill the highest priority gaps in scientific knowledge needed to effectively conserve sagebrush dependent species and the sagebrush habitats they depend on. Our goal is “A healthy, working sagebrush landscape for people and wildlife“.

Sagebrush Conservation Strategy

A Sagebrush Conservation Strategy to guide our collective efforts to conserve the sagebrush biome

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Wildfire and Invasive Species Initiative

The multi-agency Wildfire and Invasive Species Working Group works to identify and address fire and invasive plant management problems to promote healthy sagebrush habitats.

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Sagebrush Science Initiative

The multi-agency Sagebrush Science Initiative identifies and fills the highest priority gaps in scientific knowledge needed to effectively conserve sagebrush species and their habitats.

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Feature Publication

Western Weed Action Plan

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pdf, 11.73 MB
April 1, 2019
Publication Details

This document was the vision of the participants of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA), Western Invasive Weed Summit (2015 Summit), held in Boise, Idaho in the fall of 2015. Approximately 250 invasive plant species experts, private and federal land managers, biologists, administrators, and scientists attended the summit.

One of the major outcomes of the 2015 Summit was the call to develop a multi-agency action plan to address the challenges and barriers created by the establishment and expansion of invasive plant species in the west. Without the collective wisdom of the 2015 Summit participants and their support for the development of the plan, this effort would not have been initiated. The resulting Action Plan is thus, based on information and experience from a broad range of agencies, both State and Federal, agricultural, and wildlife based.

The final product is truly a collaborative effort of these diverse disciplines, uniquely linked by a common concern with the threat of invasive weed expansion into the sagebrush biome negatively, affecting the Western way of life, economy, and its native wildlife. VIEW

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Past Workshops

Sagebrush Conservation Strategy Workshop, Webinar, May 2020

Interested in rolling up your sleeves in the conservation strategy development? Contact Tom Remington and San Stiver to learn about joining the Sagebrush Conservation Strategy Part B work groups and to indicate your interest in being added to the list. View the webinar recording HERE.

Sagebrush Conservation Strategy Workshop, Denver CO, Nov 2016

A key aspect of the Sagebrush Science Initiative is to use the biological and social science information produced through this Initiative, as well as the entire body of relevant science to produce a collaborative Sagebrush Conservation Strategy. The intent of the Strategy is to provide a roadmap for voluntary conservation measures for managing and conserving the sagebrush ecosystem that build on conservation measures already in place for sage-grouse. The goal is to maintain dependent plant and animal communities as well as traditional human uses of this landscape. It is intended to be an “all-hands, all-lands” inclusive approach.

A conceptual narrative and draft outline for what this Sagebrush Conservation Strategy might look like was produced following the Sagebrush Conservation Strategy Workshop coordinated by WAFWA in Denver, attended by scientists and managers from BLM, USFWS, USFS, USGS, State Wildlife Agencies, Universities, and numerous NGOs with expertise in, or responsibility for sagebrush or sagebrush-dependent wildlife.

• Sagebrush Conservation Strategy Workshop Presentations (PDF, 35 MB)

• Participant List (PDF, 330 KB)

• Draft Outline for Sagebrush Conservation Strategy, 09/29/2017 (PDF, 780 KB)

Western Invasive Weed Summit, Boise ID, Nov 2015

The purpose is to convene a summit of federal departments (i.e., DOI, USDA, DOC, etc) and agencies, state and local government agencies, tribes and key non-government organizations to review existing invasive species mandates and programs, and to set a coordinated plan of action for invasive plant management in the West.

The goal of the summit is to build on the recent Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) publication, Invasive Plant Management and Greater Sage-grouse Conservation: A Review and Status Report with Strategic Recommendations for Improvement (Ielmini et al 2015). We will refine the report’s challenges and barriers and develop recommendations for securing adequate and consistent program funding at local, state, and federal levels. Read More

Sagebrush Executive Oversight Committee (EOC)

The EOC was formed by WAFWA in 2008 as an outgrowth of the 2006 Sage-grouse Comprehensive Conservation Strategy. The EOC consists of leadership of State wildlife agencies and Federal agencies with responsibilities and authority for management of sagebrush dependent wildlife or their habitat. The Chairman of the Sagebrush Executive Oversight Committee is Tony Wasley, Director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife.