Funding Available to Help Oregon Ranchers Address Sage Grouse

One year following the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision that the greater sage grouse did not warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act, Oregon ranchers are continuing conservation on private lands to benefit sage grouse and bolster rangeland sustainability.  That work is expected to continue over the next couple of years, thanks in part to voluntary conservation programs with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  Funding available throughout 2017 was recently announced, to help Oregon landowners improve the health and vigor of their rangeland—while also improving sage grouse habitat.

NRCS offers financial incentives and science-based conservation planning to help ranchers implement a variety of conservation practices.

For example, NRCS can offset the cost of removing invasive juniper trees, controlling invasive annual grasses and weeds, installing wildlife-friendly livestock watering structures, and more.  Rangeland conservation practices that are good for sage grouse also enhance overall rangeland health, while improving forage production for cattle and reducing wildfire risk.

NRCS financial incentives are available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). NRCS offers EQIP assistance annually, with several “cut-off” application deadlines throughout the year.

The first EQIP application deadline for 2017 funding is Nov. 18, 2016.

To learn more, visit the Oregon EQIP webpage

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