Local working group exemplifies quality conservation effortsSage grouse caught the attention of federal officials, lawmakers, environmentalists, industry executives and national media last week. On Friday, the Interior Department announced that the iconic Western bird would not be added to the endangered species list.The news comes as a sigh of relief for some and a disappointment for others. It also comes with a challenge — to seek protection for sage grouse in the midst of industry development.Interior Secretary Ken Salazar noted the benefits of development in a statement last week, but added “…we must find common-sense ways of protecting, restoring and reconnecting the Western lands that are most important to the species' survival while responsibly developing much-needed energy resources.”Locally, one group has been seeking to do that for years.The Big Horn Basin Sage Grouse Working Group has aimed to keep the species' habitat intact and create an effective conservation effort.The group brings together representatives from conservation districts, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the agriculture community and the energy industry.Group members have studied the sage grouse population in the area and helped improve the birds' habitat.A few years ago, volunteers helped the BLM plant sagebrush in an area ravaged by wildfire. They partnered with the Game and Fish to fund a 1,800-gallon tank that provides much-needed water to sage grouse and other wildlife.The local working group's dedication to protecting and restoring land critical to sage grouse habitat is commendable, especially considering Wyoming's unique position. The stakes are high here. Wyoming is home to more than half of the remaining sage grouse population. It's estimated that the Big Horn Basin is home to about 5,000 sage grouse and 250 leks (breeding grounds).The fact that many of the birds dwell in prime spots for Wyoming's natural gas development heightens the stakes. A future “endangered” listing of the bird could hamper energy development.It is in the best interest of everyone — environmentalists and industry developers alike — that sage grouse numbers become robust so a listing isn't necessary in the future.

Local working group exemplifies quality conservation efforts

Sage grouse caught the attention of federal officials, lawmakers, environmentalists, industry executives and national media last week. On Friday, the Interior Department announced that the iconic Western bird would not be added to the endangered species list.

The news comes as a sigh of relief for some and a disappointment for others. It also comes with a challenge — to seek protection for sage grouse in the midst of industry development.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar noted the benefits of development in a statement last week, but added “…we must find common-sense ways of protecting, restoring and reconnecting the Western lands that are most important to the species' survival while responsibly developing much-needed energy resources.”

Locally, one group has been seeking to do that for years.

The Big Horn Basin Sage Grouse Working Group has aimed to keep the species' habitat intact and create an effective conservation effort.

The group brings together representatives from conservation districts, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the agriculture community and the energy industry.

Group members have studied the sage grouse population in the area and helped improve the birds' habitat.

A few years ago, volunteers helped the BLM plant sagebrush in an area ravaged by wildfire. They partnered with the Game and Fish to fund a 1,800-gallon tank that provides much-needed water to sage grouse and other wildlife.

The local working group's dedication to protecting and restoring land critical to sage grouse habitat is commendable, especially considering Wyoming's unique position.

The stakes are high here.

Wyoming is home to more than half of the remaining sage grouse population. It's estimated that the Big Horn Basin is home to about 5,000 sage grouse and 250 leks (breeding grounds).

The fact that many of the birds dwell in prime spots for Wyoming's natural gas development heightens the stakes. A future “endangered” listing of the bird could hamper energy development.

It is in the best interest of everyone — environmentalists and industry developers alike — that sage grouse numbers become robust so a listing isn't necessary in the future.