Showdown on the Sagebrush Sea

Cheatgrass and drought combine to cause serious problems for wildlife

I consider myself lucky to have grown up in southeastern Idaho, surrounded by well-known natural landmarks like the winding Snake River with the majestic silhouette of the Teton Range rising in the distance. The region also has an expansive high desert, part of a west-wide landscape known as the “Sagebrush Sea.” These sagebrush grasslands are essential to the imperiled sage-grouse, along with hundreds of other critters ranging from pygmy rabbits to sagebrush lizards to mountain lions.

As a child, I didn’t always appreciate the biological importance of this ecosystem. I was accustomed to seeing miles and miles of seemingly endless sagebrush. My environmentally-savvy parents were the first to tell me that these plants weren’t as abundant and healthy as I thought (thanks Mom and Dad!).

Of course, as a 10-year-old, it was hard to fathom that this landscape exists now in only half of its former glory. Unfortunately, species that depend on sagebrush are threatened by habitat loss caused by a number of factors, including livestock overgrazing, development, unnatural fire, drought, and invasive plants, especially cheatgrass.

I’ve seen firsthand just how prevalent and detrimental cheatgrass is to sagebrush habitat. Unintentionally introduced from Eurasia, cheatgrass is now taking over the West. Cheatgrass spreads rapidly, competing with native species like sagebrush. What’s worse, it is also extremely prone to fire and thrives in sagebrush habitat that has already been burned out. Add drought, and you have the perfect recipe for a destructive cycle of huge wildfires that eliminate sagebrush and other native vegetation. For the many species that rely on healthy sagebrush steppe – like golden eagles, sage-grouse, pygmy rabbits, mule deer and native trout – restoration, if successful, could take more than 20 years to recover damaged habitat. For many, including sage-grouse, this could be too long.

Defenders and our partners are working across the Sagebrush Sea to help protect sage-grouse by analyzing regional conservation plans for the species and making sure they will be enough to protect and recover the bird. But individuals can also have a role in sage-grouse conservation. Before heading off to college, I volunteered with an environmental consulting firm using Global Positioning System (GPS) units to map invasive plants (including cheatgrass) on 125,000 acres in southeastern Idaho. The data that we collected helped scientists create maps that would help them better understand where nonnative plant species were spreading and how. For a then-high school student, it was incredibly rewarding be involved in a project that would help scientists better protect the sagebrush steppe and the many animals that live there. It was even worth the sunburn.

Unfortunately, the last time I went home, I was disheartened to see large portions of the areas that I had once worked on are now charred by fires. The upcoming 2015 wildfire season is fast approaching, and for sage-grouse, already in steep decline, this could be a difficult year. In fact, Secretary Jewell, well-aware of the plight of sage-grouse and what their decline means for the West, recently issued a Secretarial Order to address wildfire and its threat to sagebrush habitat. This is a good step forward, but it is important for everyone to remain aware and involved in the effort to conserve these iconic birds. Based on my own experience, this is especially true for the next generation of conservationists.

It’s disheartening to see sagebrush habitat and dependent species on the decline, but we all have an opportunity to work for change. I encourage everyone, young and old, to get involved locally with conservation efforts. When it comes to invasive species, the Department of Agriculture has some great information on how citizens throughout the US can become involved in fighting this threat and helping encourage native species, which is so important to our native wildlife as well. In the sagebrush sea itself, remember to be vigilant about the wildfire risk if you are camping or hiking in the area. There are also opportunities available for other aspects of conservation, from science-based summer camps for school-aged children to regular volunteer days at many national parks and other public land agencies. Engaging kids and teens in conservation efforts can create lifelong conservation advocates and stewards of the environment. I am hopeful that empowering the next generation of conservation advocates will help ensure that the Sagebrush Sea and other wild lands are still around for future generations to enjoy.