In Gunnison, Colorado, there is an innovative collaboration led by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and involving local conservation groups and state offices to conserve the Gunnison Sage Grouse on private and public land. The story of protecting the threatened, but not endangered, sage grouse is one of widespread community involvement to restore health to a 2.5-million-acre watershed. Using the techniques of land restoration pioneer Bill Zeedyk, they have been able to build up habitat for the sage grouse, and at the same time provide increased forage for cattle.
We talk to Nathan Seward Terrestrial Biologist with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and Brett Redden of Redden Ranches in Gunnison, Colorado.
Gunnison Sage Grouse
photo courtesy of Bob Gress
Rock dam in meadow
photo courtesy of Brett Redden