By: Chase Woodruff - July 28, 2021 4:34 pm Mountain big sagebrush is seen at the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado. Big sagebrush is perhaps the most important shrub on western rangelands. It provides winter food source to numerous species of large mammals, nearly 100 bird species depend on sagebrush ecosystems for habitat, and there are several animal species that have an obligate relationship with big sagebrush, including greater and Gunnison’s sage grouse. (Tom Koerner/USFWS/CC BY 2.0)
A coalition of local government officials from across the West on Wednesday released a report highlighting the region’s efforts to support President Joe Biden’s “America the Beautiful” initiative, which aims to boost conservation nationwide with an eye towards protecting 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.