SageCon Partners
The SageCon Partnership represents a diverse group of stakeholders who have come together over the past decade toward a shared vision of healthy rangelands and sage-grouse conservation. The Partnership developed the 2015 Sage-Grouse Action Plan and coordinates continued implementation of the Plan. The diverse group of agencies and entities at state, federal and local levels listed below illustrates the wide-ranging interest in rangeland conservation.
Federal Agencies
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) works to conserve greater sage-grouse habitat and support sustainable economic development. BLM manages approximately 70% of the sage-grouse range in Oregon and is implementing the Oregon Greater Sage-Grouse Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment in partnership with the state of Oregon and local partners to benefit wildlife, outdoor recreation, ranching, and other traditional land uses that rely on a healthy sagebrush landscape.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) focuses on “helping people help the land”— by providing resources to farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners to aid them with conservation. NRCS oversees various programs that focus restoration efforts toward sage-grouse habitat on private lands, including the Working Lands for Wildlife and Regional Conservation Partnership Program which have made significant investments in Oregon.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) oversees the Endangered Species Act listing review and decisions. After evaluating the best available scientific and commercial information regarding the greater sage-grouse in 2015, the Service determined that protection for the greater sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act is no longer warranted and withdrew the species from the candidate species list. USFWS remains an important partner as the state implements the Action Plan, and the Service administers the Candidate Conservation Agreement (CCA) and Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAA) programs for voluntary conservation actions to benefit sage-grouse on public and private lands.
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has a mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Forest Service is committed to work at the local level to find ways to implement the direction and guidance in the land management plan amendments to conserve sage-grouse and its habitat.
State Agencies and Entities
Association of Oregon Counties
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) is a statewide organization representing Oregon’s 36 counties. Established in 1906 to provide a forum for information sharing, AOC now provides a variety of functions and services aimed at supporting Oregon counties and the work they do.
Governor's Natural Resource Office
Governor Kotek’s Natural Resources Office (GNRO) works with landowners, counties, state and federal agencies, and non-profit organizations to implement the comprehensive State Sage-Grouse Action Plan to maintain and improve sage-grouse populations and habitat in Oregon.
Institute for Natural Resources
Institute for Natural Resources (INR) was established by the Oregon legislature to bridge the knowledge and expertise of Oregon's universities to natural resource decision making. INR has been an integral part of the SageCon partnership from its inception through facilitation, relationship building, and coordination of technical tools and data to support the effort. INR continues to play an active role in the implementation of the state Action Plan through technical coordination and facilitation.
Oregon Association of Conservation Districts
The Oregon Association of Conservation Districts (OACD) promotes the conservation and wise use of Oregon’s natural resources. Private landowners and soil and water conservation districts in eight Oregon counties have been engaged in the development and implementation of voluntary sage-grouse habitat measures through Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAAs) as well as other key strategies to address threats across the sagebrush landscape.
The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) serves the people of Oregon by protecting, managing, and promoting stewardship of Oregon's forests to enhance environmental, economic, and community sustainability. ODF works with local stakeholders through Rangeland Fire Protection Associations to address fire and invasives management issues to address sage grouse habitat protection and prevention of large wildfires.
Oregon Department of Agriculture
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has a mission to: ensure food safety and provide consumer protection, protect the natural resource base for present and future generations of farmers and ranchers and promote economic development and expand market opportunities for Oregon agricultural products. ODA oversees and funds programs to treat noxious weeds affecting sage-grouse habitat.
The Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) has a mission to lead Oregon to a safe, clean, and sustainable energy future. ODOE is a coordinating agency to ensure its Energy Facility Siting Council as well as local review
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has a mission to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. ODFW manages the sage-grouse population data for the state and plays an active role in nearly all aspects of sage-grouse conservation efforts in Oregon. ODFW also manages the state sage-grouse mitigation program, and adopted OAR 635-140-0000 through the SageCon planning process to establish mitigation rules.
Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries
The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) provides earth science information and regulation. DOGAMI oversees permitting for surface mining to ensure development impacts are avoided near sensitive sage-grouse areas.
Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development
The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) has a mission to help communities and citizens plan for, protect and improve the built and natural systems that provide a high quality of life. In partnership with citizens and local governments, DLCD fosters sustainable and vibrant communities and works to protect Oregon's natural resources legacy. DLCD adopted OAR 660-023-0115, which establishes limits on the amount of allowable human development disturbance in significant sage-grouse habitat.
Oregon Department of State Lands
The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) mission is to ensure a legacy for Oregonians and their public schools through sound stewardship of lands, wetlands, waterways, unclaimed property, estates, and the Common School Fund. DSL has 630,000 acres of sage-grouse habitat on its properties and has worked with USFWS on a Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) to guide future conservation management and action.
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) mission is to protect and restore healthy watersheds and natural habitats that support thriving communities and strong economies. OWEB has provided critical funding and capacity for planning and coordination through several funding and capacity activities associated with the Governor’s Office priority Sage-Grouse Rangeland Initiative. Additionally, OWEB’s Focused Investment Priority for sagebrush/sage-steppe habitat guides voluntary actions that address primary ecological threats and limiting factors related to the quality of this habitat type.
Local Entities
High Desert Partnership (HDP) currently supports six collaboratives in Harney County, including the Harney County Wildfire Collaborative. HDP provides support and resources to allow community partners to identify priorities and solutions to Harney County’s economic, environmental, and social challenges.
Four eastern Oregon Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) and the Powder Basin Watershed Council (PBWC) each hold a Programmatic Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAA) with the US Fish & Wildlife Service to promote voluntary conservation of sage-grouse on private lands in southeastern Oregon:
Tri-County Weed Management Area
The Tri-County Weed Management Area serves as responsible stewards of the land and resources in the State of Oregon by protecting and preserving lands and resources in Baker, Union, and Wallowa Counties from the degrading impact of exotic, invasive noxious weeds.
Private or Non-Governmental Organizations
The Audubon Society has been working in bird conservation since the early 1900's becoming a National organization in 1940. Audubon has been at the forefront of Sage-Grouse conservation since 2007 when Wyoming started its statewide efforts.
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure North America's outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands and waters.
Defenders work in the policy arena as well as on the ground and across local, regional, and national campaigns to restore imperiled wildlife across North America and around the world. Defenders has been heavily engaged in planning, policy, and implementation across the West to ensure sage-grouse and the sagebrush sea are conserved and restored.
Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV)
Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV) operates across 11 western states to conserve priority bird habitats through partnership-driven, science-based projects, and programs. IWJV initiated Partners in the Sage to promote cross-boundary management and restoration of sagebrush lands for people, wildlife, and the economy.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC)'s mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. The Nature Conservancy has been working for decades with private and public partners to conserve sage-grouse and its habitat, for wildlife and future generations.
Oregon Cattlemen’s Association
Formed in 1913, the Oregon Cattlemen's Association (OCA) seeks to advance the economic, political, and social interests of the Oregon Cattle Industry. OCA has worked to demonstrate compatibilities between sage-grouse conservation and ranching, coining the phrase, "what's good for the herd is good for the bird."
The Oregon Farm Bureau (OFB) promotes educational improvement, economic opportunity, and social advancement for its members and the farming, ranching, and natural resources industry as a whole.
Oregon Hunter Association (OHA) works to provide an abundant huntable wildlife resource in Oregon for present and future generations, enhancement of wildlife habitat, and protection of hunter's rights.
Oregon Natural Desert Association
The Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) works to protect, defend and restore Oregon’s high desert for current and future generations.
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) works to create federal policy and funding solutions by uniting our partners and amplifying the voices of American sportsmen and women in service of Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation legacy.
Willamette Partnership works to build collaborative solutions to complex conservation problems. Willamette Partnership has been active in SageCon planning and has provided expertise in the development of mitigation tools and policies in close partnership with ODFW.
Tribes
The Burns Paiute Tribe is a community located near Burns that is committed to maintaining the healthy development of our families, endurance of cultural values, and the protection of our vital natural resources. The Burns Paiute Tribe generously hosted the annual SageCon Partnership summit in 2019.
Regional Entities
Western Association of Wildlife Agencies
The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) helps fish and wildlife agencies become more responsive to conflicting user and public demands on natural resources.
The Western Governors Association (WGA) was established to represent the Governors of 19 Western states and 3 U.S.-flag islands. The association is an instrument of the Governors for bipartisan policy development, information exchange, and collective action on issues of critical importance to the Western United States.