Partnerships like that between the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the U.S Fish and Wildlife service within the Sage Grouse Initiative are designed to create what is known as regulatory certainty with participating landowners and producers in efforts to protect this threatened western bird species.

"If a producer works with us or one of our partners, develops a plan to address the needs of the sage grouse, we now have an official agreement that says if you implement this plan, even if the bird is listed, you're not going to have to change your operation."

NRCS Chief, Dave White says he feels the regulatory certainty model within the Sage Grouse Initiative is just one application of a program called, Working Lands For Wildlife, that looks to support creative partnerships with landowners who volunteer to implement conservation practices that benefit wildlife.

 

 

 

 

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