Working Lands for Wildlife

Did you know the sagebrush biome is one of most intact and least modified ecosystems in the world? And it supports hundreds of species and helps power rural economies. Yet, we’re losing more than a million acres of the most intact sagebrush areas despite our current conservation efforts due to invasive annual grasses, expanding conifers, and large wildfires. But all hope is not lost. A new issue of Rangeland Ecology & Management outlines the tools, science, and knowledge to adopt a spatially targeted, proactive, and collaborative conservation model that defends the sagebrush biome and the communities that call it home. The 20 peer-reviewed articles by more than 70 authors from 24 organizations delve into the science of how, where, and why partners are working together to conserve the sagebrush biome, building off of the Sagebrush Conservation Design. Check it out at https://buff.ly/4dNqA8n. #SaveCoreSagebrush

Who are we? From sagebrush country to the forests of Appalachia, WLFW is leading cutting-edge research, putting boots on the ground, and proactively solving conservation challenges. Want to learn more? Follow our social media accounts and stay updated with science articles and news at wlfw.org.

Let's celebrate National Native American Heritage Month together! This month we honor the cultures, contributions, and resilience of the native people. In fact, lesser prairie-chickens and humans have lived together on the Great Plains for thousands of years! One of the ceremonial dances of the Blackfoot and Plains Cree tribes — the chicken dance — celebrates the interconnection between native people and the lesser prairie-chicken.

In Green River, Wyoming, landowners have protected 212 square miles of intact sagebrush rangelands through conservation easements, funded in part by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Wildlife and ranchers are thriving here, and the rest of the West is taking note of ways to replicate their success. Here's their success in numbers today: ? 136,000 acres protected ?? 23% off all private lands conserved in Sublette County ?? $38,000,000 invested by NRCS ?? Five big game species benefiting Learn more about Green River Valley, Wyoming, and the incredible things they are doing here: https://buff.ly/4f1jzSv

Happy Veterans Day! Did you know our military plays a vital role as a conservation partner? Covering approximately 27 million acres of land, our nation’s military bases help support ecologically important habitats. One great example is Fort Riley, a five-square-mile Army base in the Flint Hills of Kansas. In addition to the Army’s First Infantry Division, Fort Riley hosts a population of greater prairie-chickens, which, like other grassland-obligate species, thrive in treeless grasslands. In an Ask an Expert, WLFW-supported researcher Caleb Roberts discusses how spatial targeting can be used to safeguard critical lek locations that become abandoned when pressured by woody expansion. Read more: https://buff.ly/4dBhSvf

?? Job Opportunity: WLFW Sage Tech Transfer Specialist ?? We're excited to share that we’re adding some capacity to our Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) team! We’re hiring a Sagebrush Tech Transfer Specialist through the University of Montana to help with our tech transfer efforts across the sagebrush biome. This new position will work closely with our Western WLFW core team to accelerate the adoption of the ‘Defend the Core’ strategy for threat reduction in core sagebrush areas across the biome. We’re seeking candidates with a balance of technical proficiency, communication skills, and a passion for translating science into conservation action. The position is remote and funded through September 2028. Application deadline is November 21. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/g5792gUX

In Oregon, a long-term study of sage grouse and conifer removal showed that grouse population growth rates increased 12% following conifer removal. ?? These before and after photographs demonstrate just how much conifer encroachment existed on the site prior to removal. #TheMoreYouKnow

Landowner led. ?? Science informed. ?? Agency supported. ?? Working Lands for Wildlife is the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s premier approach for conserving America’s working lands to benefit people, wildlife, and rural communities. WLFW uses win-win solutions to target voluntary, incentive-based conservation that improves agricultural productivity and wildlife habitat on working lands. Read more about how we use a win-win approach to conservation: https://buff.ly/3mLIqnv

What's good for the grouse is good for the ground. ???? Through WLFW's Sage Grouse Initiative, voluntary conservation is taking flight on rangelands across sagebrush country. Learn all about the initiative and our favorite bird, the sage grouse, here: https://buff.ly/3JFwhtO Photo: Noppadol Paothong

?? USDA Announces Department-wide Effort to Support Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat Connectivity ?? Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a Department-wide effort to support connectivity of wildlife habitat on working landscapes?through the management of?National Forests and voluntary conservation assistance on private agricultural lands. In a?memorandum?released this week, Vilsack detailed plans of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to drive coordination and action within the Department to improve terrestrial wildlife habitat connectivity and corridors in a way that recognizes and leverages state and Tribal authorities, capitalizes on public land management and respects private property rights through voluntary, locally-led conservation. Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gcPvWz2X