For Immediate Release: March 22, 2004
Contact: Vaughn Whatley 303-239-3766 or Hillerie Patton 303-239-3671

Sage Grouse "Listening Session" March 26 at BLM State Office

The Colorado Bureau of Land Management will host what is being billed as a "Listening Session" concerning sage-grouse issues and initiatives for stakeholders, partners and cooperators on March 26, 2004. The session will follow a panel format with representatives from the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the BLM.

As part of our cooperative efforts with our state, local and federal partners, we are inviting an array of groups and individuals to discuss our joint efforts involving the sage grouse. The listening session will allow for a status update from federal and state agencies involved in sage-grouse recovery, conservation and expansion efforts occurring in Colorado. It also will provide for information exchange and question and answer opportunities for participants.

The management of sage grouse is a shared responsibility. The states, acting through their respective wildlife management agencies, are responsible for managing resident wildlife, such as sage grouse. Federal land management agencies, such as the BLM and U.S. Forest Service, are responsible for managing habitat on federal public lands under their respective jurisdiction. Similarly, other land owners or administrators manage the lands they own or control, and may or may not have specific responsibilities related to wildlife and wildlife habitat. Since everyone has a stake in the outcome of the sage grouse, it is in our collective best interest to work together to identify, and achieve, common goals and objectives. This session will allow a variety of interests to come together to discuss respective efforts involving sage grouse conservation.

Who: Representatives from the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and BLM.

What: Representatives will hold a "Listening Session" concerning sage-grouse issues and initiatives for stakeholders, partners, cooperators and interested parties.

When: March 26, from 10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (noon)

Where: BLM Colorado State Office - 2850 Youngfield Street, Lakewood, CO. Listening Session will be held in the fourth floor meeting room (please check in with security guard in the lobby).

Note: A 30 minute media availability session will be held immediately upon conclusion of the Listening Session. Agency representatives will be available to discuss sage-grouse issues and activities.

-BLM-