Conserving the Greater Sage Grouse is a major challenge to the partners in the 11 Western
states with sage grouse populations. Sage grouse inhabit a complex sagebrush ecosystem, which is home to multiple species of concern.
The scope of the effort to conserve the sage grouse is unprecedented. It is both broad-based and locally driven. All of the states within the sage grouse range are engaged in this conservation effort and have brought a myriad of partners to the table with them, including local ranchers, non-profit organizations, industry, local governments and federal agencies.
Over the past three years, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service received several petitions requesting it to list the Greater Sage Grouse as a threatened and endangered species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that substantial biological information exists to warrant a more in-depth examination of the status of Greater Sage Grouse. See additional information on the ESA at http://endangered.fws.gov/policies/index.html .
The Western governors passed WGA Policy Resolution 04-01 Sage Grouse Conservation co-sponsored by Governors Bill Owens of Colorado and Kenny Guinn of Nevada in February 2004. The resolution directed that "WGA shall compile and document state and private efforts to conserve the Greater Sage Grouse and highlight success stories throughout the Western states."
In June 2004 two documents were released that illustrate the depth of commitment and cooperation that is taking place westwide to conserve the Greater Sage Grouse. The success stories represent a glimpse of what the partnerships are accomplishing and how they are doing it.
These documents were forwarded to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in July 2004 for consideration during the potential listing process for the Greater Sage Grouse.
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