Abstract
The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) has been the subject of multiple status reviews under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Wyoming accounts for approximately 38% of the range-wide population. Since 2000, 2 statewide and 8 local citizen working groups have been established in Wyoming to developed conservation plans and advise state policy. The first statewide plan for the conservation of sage-grouse was formally adopted in 2003. The statewide plan established local sage-grouse working groups charged with developing and facilitating implementation of local conservation plans. Those 8 plans were completed in 2007 and 2008, and updated in 2014. From 2005-2017, the local working groups allocated nearly $7 million in legislatively appropriated funds to support conservation projects. In 2007, then Wyoming governor Dave Freudenthal appointed a statewide Sage-grouse Implementation Team. The team was statutorily sanctioned by the Wyoming legislature in 2015 and advises the current governor on all matters related to the Wyoming Greater Sage-Grouse Core Area Protection Policy. The Core Area Policy was established by Executive Order and provides mechanisms for limiting human disturbance in the most important sage-grouse habitats. Federal land management agencies have incorporated most aspects of the Core Area Policy into their land use planning decisions. Effectiveness of local and state-wide collaborative conservation has been evaluated through assessments of local working group accomplishments, research on policy effectiveness, sage-grouse population monitoring, and ESA status reviews.
Recommended Citation
Christiansen, Thomas J. and Belton, Lorien R.
(2017)
"Wyoming Sage-Grouse Working Groups: Lessons Learned,"
Human–Wildlife Interactions: Vol. 11:
Iss.
3, Article 6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26077/1bg9-2r18
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/hwi/vol11/iss3/6
Included in
Energy Policy Commons, Environmental Policy Commons, Environmental Studies Commons, Interpersonal and Small Group Communication Commons, Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation Commons, Public Policy Commons, Social Influence and Political Communication Commons
