Sage grouse news, good or bad?

[Tom Wilberding]

I just got Boulder County Audubon’s newsletter, that mentioned the following:

“On Sept. 22, 2015 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared that the Greater Sage-Grouse was no longer in need of Endangered Species Act Protections, provoking deep apprehension among conservation scientists……Important conservation organizations like the National Audubon Society are expressing grave concerns.”

Not so fast. Yesterday I got the November Audubon magazine, that included an editorial by CEO David Yarnold that Audubon was very pleased with this decision, and had a big part in getting it done. His editorial is titled “Commonsense Conservation. A collaborative plan means a real future for the Greater Sage-Grouse.”

The American Bird Conservancy says this about the controversy: “Federal authorities have decided not to list the Greater Sage-Grouse as an endangered species, based on new federal conservation management plans being put in place protecting grouse habitat on over 67 million acres of public lands. Right now, the federal plans need to be given a chance to work.”

What about Gunnison Sage Grouse?

A year ago the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service “determined that the Gunnison sage-grouse, a ground-dwelling bird found only in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah, requires the protection of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as a threatened species.”

That was greeted with either support or condemnation by various birding organizations.

Many birders, especially Colorado birders, are concerned about sage grouse. One grouse not protected, the other protected, both in trouble. I believe there are good arguments on both sides about when and how to use the Endangered Species Act for conservation, but defer to experts to sort them out. The important thing is that efforts are made. In the words of FDR, “It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.”

Like many of you, I continue to be a member and supporter of Boulder Audubon, National Audubon, Colorado Field Ornithologists, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, the American Bird Conservancy, and a few other groups concerned about the conservation of birds. These groups do not always speak with one voice, but they’re all trying.

Tom Wilberding
Boulder, CO

[Larry Modesitt]

Nice summary, Tom, pointing out the differing viewpoints that well-meaning people and conservation groups have about the issue. Bird Conservancy of the Rockies also supports the voluntary approach. Our view is that most land is held privately, so great efforts must be made to work with private landowners. That's why we put major resources into educating private landowners from Montana to Chihuahua, Mexico on what they can do to make their lands productive, long-lasting, and good for wildlife. Thus, we applaud private, voluntary efforts to conserve both Sage-Grouse species--and many others as well.

Larry Modesitt

Chair, Board of Directors

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies