Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act Support Sagebrush Conservation Efforts in the West
Sagebrush, a distinctive plant native to the western United States, represents much more than just a rugged shrub with silvery-green leaves, US Department of the Interior reports.
As an iconic symbol of the American West, sagebrush is central to the region’s ecosystems, culture, and natural resources. Spanning approximately 175 million acres, the sagebrush ecosystem is the largest contiguous biome in the continental United States, covering a third of the land area in the lower 48 states. This vast landscape provides essential habitat for around 350 wildlife species, including the greater sage-grouse, elk, bison, and countless bird species. Furthermore, the soils of sagebrush ecosystems store carbon, contributing to efforts to mitigate climate change, and the land serves as a crucial water source for several major rivers in the US.
However, the sagebrush biome faces increasing threats from prolonged drought, invasive grasses, wildfire, and human activity, including land conversion for agriculture and urbanization. To address these challenges, the US Department of the Interior, with support from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), is taking significant steps to preserve and restore this vital ecosystem.
One of the major challenges facing sagebrush is the invasion of non-native species, particularly cheatgrass, which competes with sagebrush for space and nutrients. This invasive grass also contributes to the increased frequency and intensity of wildfires, exacerbated by the effects of climate change. The loss of sagebrush habitat, along with overgrazing by livestock and the encroachment of conifer trees, further threatens the biome’s survival.
In response, the US Geological Survey (USGS), in collaboration with the US Department of Agriculture and other partners, developed the Sagebrush Conservation Design (SCD). This tool helps land managers identify healthy, intact sagebrush landscapes and guides restoration efforts. Through this design, the USGS aims to help conserve core areas of sagebrush habitat while supporting restoration of degraded lands.
Since 2022, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has used funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support over 200 habitat restoration projects, with significant focus on invasive grass management and habitat restoration in Wyoming. One example is the Wyoming Invasive Annual Grass Management Collaborative, a partnership involving the state of Wyoming, Native American tribes, and private landowners. Through this collaboration, participants work together to manage their lands in ways that support sagebrush and prevent the spread of invasive grasses that fuel wildfires. This initiative has already treated thousands of acres and is set to continue expanding its reach.
Further conservation efforts are taking place in Montana, where the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is using the SCD to target the spread of conifer trees and shrubs, such as ponderosa pines and junipers. These conifers deplete water resources and shade out sagebrush, reducing the land’s ecological value. The Hi-Line Sagebrush Anchor Restoration Landscape project, supported by IRA funding, is focusing on clearing conifers over 20,000 acres of land, with the goal of improving sage-grouse habitat and preserving the integrity of the sagebrush ecosystem.
In addition to these efforts, the National Park Service (NPS) is focusing on making the 3 million acres of sagebrush it manages more resilient to climate change. The Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in Idaho is one of the many parks where sagebrush restoration is taking place. Here, NPS staff are using innovative methods to limit the spread of invasive grasses and replant sagebrush in areas affected by wildfire. With the help of mules carrying herbicide, NPS staff can cover larger areas, allowing for more efficient and effective restoration. The project is set to restore thousands of acres of sagebrush along US Highway 26, an area that attracts many visitors and provides valuable wildlife habitat.
Conservation efforts for sagebrush are not limited to federal agencies. Local governments, Native American tribes, conservation organizations, and private landowners are all involved in protecting and restoring the sagebrush ecosystem. Partners include the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, The Nature Conservancy, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and hundreds of private landowners who voluntarily manage their land to benefit sagebrush habitats.
Matt Kales, a sagebrush ecosystem coordinator with USFWS, emphasizes the importance of understanding the value of sagebrush landscapes. Despite being often overlooked by the public, sagebrush ecosystems are vital to wildlife, water resources, and the livelihoods of people living in the West. As Kales points out, these landscapes are not wastelands but crucial areas that sustain life in many forms.
