BLM, volunteers restore habitat for threatened species

As home to the Blanca Wetlands, many know the San Luis Valley is a vital keystone in the regional ecosystem. However, there is another important ecological element on the other end of the Valley that may not be as well-known or as well understood.

The presence of Gunnison sage-grouse can serve as a natural benchmark for the health of a sagebrush ecosystem. They are a federally listed threatened species, and a small satellite population of these birds has found a home at the Valley’s northern end.

Their foraging activities are vital to seed dispersal and nutrient cycling. By facilitating healthy vegetation other animals need, their presence often leads to the establishment of other species in the area, contributing to the overall diversity of the ecosystem. They are an important piece of a complex machine and, if they were to disappear, the consequences could be disastrous.

“If the Gunnison sage-grouse were to become extinct, it could have significant and negative impacts on the local biosphere,” said Taylor Applewhite, a biologist with the Bureau of Land Management. “[It] could indicate a decline in the health of the entire ecosystem.”

In the San Luis Valley, Gunnison sage-grouse numbers are slowly growing. But climate change prediction models, along with continued development in the area, paint an uncertain future for the species. A healthier wetland habitat could mitigate some of those effects and Applewhite had some ideas for how to get that done. But for those ideas to work, he needed a few more sets of hands.

“Meaningful improvement to an ecosystem is usually beyond the efforts of an individual agency or organization,” Applewhite said.

Applewhite discussed ideas for a habitat restoration and protection project with partners at Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. The group was looking to expand its portfolio of public lands projects, and Applewhite’s proposal happened to come at exactly the right time.

The plan was to use rocks to disperse and slow water drainage patterns. By crafting simple terrain features, called Zeedyk structures, they could help manage the flow of water across the landscape.

Near the end of July, a group representing federal and state agencies, conservation organizations, agricultural interests, and VOC volunteers took to the hills and wet meadows near Poncha Pass. After a year of collaboration, the team was able to push many of the planned improvements across the finish line.

“This project offered us an opportunity to make a real difference for a threatened species,” said Applewhite. “[It] represents the best of what we as humans can do when we come together to protect and conserve the natural resources that sustain us all.”

Visit the BLM website to learn more on its role in habitat conservation and management for threatened and endangered species. To learn more about how you can get involved, drop by your local BLM field office or visit the BLM’s volunteer opportunities page.