Partnership Plus an Emergency Protection Order: A Potion to Save Greater Sage-grouse?

Wild Lands Advocate article, February 2014. A summary of recent developments concerning southeastern Alberta’s sage-grouse is given, with different topics and events brought together into a single overview to give context and resonance. Topics include AWA’s September 2011 Emergency Sage-grouse Summit, the 2013 establishment of the Sage-grouse Partnership, the December 2013 Emergency Protection Order issued by the federal government, the 2011-2012 efforts to translocate sage-grouse from Montana, and the January 2014 Habitat Viability Assessment Workshop hosted by the Calgary Zoo.

“Two goals are paramount here. First, retain at least some of the extant Canadian birds so their genetics and behavioral knowledge will contribute to at least some part of a future recovered population. Second, conserve, enhance, and restore sagebrush habitat in Alberta – not just for the recovery of greater sage-grouse but also to avoid similar crises from afflicting other species dependent on this ecosystem. The path forward is fraught with risks and challenges; therefore, it is essentialthat there is well-resourced, concerted, and immediate action from land managers, government, industry, and conservationists. This is critical if we are to retain this magnificent species in the northern sagebrush steppe ecosystem.”