Get reliable science

In the semi-arid sagebrush ecosystems of the American West, seasonal periods of water scarcity limit primary productivity and the distribution of associated mesic resources important to wildlife and ranching. Riparian areas, wet meadows and other mesic sites�such as high elevation rangelands and irrigated fields�are among the last places to retain enough soil moisture to remain productive late in the growing season. As summer heat dries out upland soils, species like sage-grouse, along with livestock and many other wildlife species, follow the green line seeking out wetter, more productive areas. These wet �mesic habitats� serve as grocery stores providing nutritious forage, including the protein-rich forb and insect foods required by sage-grouse chicks. Yet, mesic habitats occupy only a tiny fraction of the sagebrush ecosystem and have varying degrees of drought resiliency. Recently, the NRCS-led Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) launched a campaign across eleven western states to accelerate protection, restoration, and enhancement of these mesic habitats to benefit working lands and wildlife. While mesic habitat conservation can be beneficial wherever it occurs, limited resources and the desire to make measurable progress necessitate a strategic approach. We present SGI�s framework for scaling up implementation of targeted mesic habitat conservation practices designed to keep water on the land and boost resilience to drought. Combining mesic habitat conservation with ongoing efforts in sagebrush uplands creates a more holistic ecosystem approach for benefiting western rangelands from ridge tops to valley bottoms.