Greater sage-grouse lek site. -Photo by Nick Myatt, ODFW- Download higher resolution image.

SALEM, Ore.—The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife today released a revision of the updated greater sage-grouse conservation plan. The draft plan, Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Assessment and Strategy for Oregon, was released in July 2010 as a five-year update.

Recent revisions to the July 2010 draft are based on input from County governments, stakeholders and public comments. The Plan now includes expanded sections on climate change, further describes impacts of feral horses on sage-grouse habitat, clarifies that sustainable grazing practices are consistent with sage-grouse conservation and defines implementation of the Core Area approach to habitat conservation.

The updated draft plan and proposed administrative rules will be presented to the Commission for adoption at its April 22, 2011 meeting. The public is invited to attend the meeting.

Written comments will be accepted through the April 22 meeting, but to be included in the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission information briefing materials, comments must be received by April 6. They can be mailed to ODFW headquarter or e-mailed to sage.grouse@state.or.us.

Visit the greater sage-grouse section of ODFW’s website to view the plan, background information and related documents. Request a print copy from Wildlife Division, ODFW Headquarters, 3406 Cherry Avenue NE, Salem, OR 97303.

In March 2010, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that protection of the greater sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act was warranted. However, listing the greater sage-grouse was precluded at the time by the need to address other species listings facing greater risk of extinction. The sage-grouse is now a candidate species for listing. The primary threats to the sage-grouse across its range are: habitat loss and fragmentation (including wildfire); invasive plants; energy development; urbanization and agricultural conversion and unmanaged grazing.

The Oregon Conservation Strategy identifies the greater sage-grouse as a species in need of conservation. Learn more about its critical habitats—sagebrush steppe and shrublands—in the habitat section of the Strategy.

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