MPR News Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner signs off

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

The U.S. Department of Interior has decided that the greater sage grouse, a peculiar and distinctly Western bird, does not need protection under the Endangered Species Act.

In a statement, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said that an unprecedented land conservation effort has already significantly reduced the threats to sage grouse.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the conservation marked a successful effort by the government and ranchers on public and private lands.

"Together, we have shown that voluntary efforts joining the resources of private landowners, federal and state agencies, and partner organizations can help drive landscape-level conservation that is good for sage grouse, ranching operations, and rural communities," Vilsack said.

NPR's Nathan Rott, who has been following the story, reports that this is a big deal for the West. Economically, for example, a listing of the greater sage grouse would have resulted in big changes to the ranching and energy operations in the region.

 released by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in advance of this decision showed that the sage grouse population had begun to rebound.


In 2013, for example, the sage grouse population had plummeted to 16.7 males per traditional mating area, or lek. In the last two years, that number has risen to 25.5 males per lek. That is still below the recent population peak of 33 males per lek measured in 2006.

Environmental News

The Interior Department said an unprecedented land conservation effort significantly reduced threats to the bird.

Greater sage grouse does not need protection, U.S. decides

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox