Sagebrush in winter

Photos courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Tom Koerner)  
 

 In winter, the sage-steppe lands of the American West are awash in white drifts and sky-blue shadows. 

Sage-grouse continue their walkabouts through the sagebrush.  

During the long months of winter, sagebrush is the grouse's only source of food. Taller bushes 
shelter the birds from wind and weather, and offer cover that helps in evading predators.  

Birds that manage to gain weight during the winter months will be fit in the spring, when 
they will be pre-occupied with mating activities that burn energy and leave little time for eating.  

Sagebrush of adequate height and density also captures blowing snow, keeping precious 
moisture in the habitat. Spring melting will water the next round of growth for sagebrush,
grasses and flowering plants.  

With a commitment to improving conditions for greater sage-grouse, the BLM is evaluating the plans adopted in 2015 to manage sagebrush habitat on public lands. Monitoring data and new scientific information published since 2015 will help us determine whether there are other steps we should take to benefit sage-grouse and people across the West who rely on healthy sage-steppe lands. 
 

More stories about sage-grouse on BLM-managed public lands 

In SEASON: Lands for a thousand dances | All the better for nesting | All in a day's walk | A year in the life 

In BALANCE: Predators | Wildland fire 

In PROGRESS: Next steps for sage-grouse | More than the numbers | According to plan