Aerial sagebrush seeding helps restore Robertson Draw Fire burn area

RED LODGE, Mont. – In an effort to restore critical sagebrush habitat lost in the 2021 Robertson Draw Fire, the Bureau of Land Management recently completed an aerial sagebrush seeding operation over thousands of acres of public lands south of Red Lodge. The project, conducted in partnership with private contractors and local land management agencies, is a key step in stabilizing the landscape, preventing invasive species spread, and supporting wildlife recovery.

The Robertson Draw Fire burned more than 29,000 acres across Carbon County, impacting sagebrush steppe habitat essential for mule deer, pronghorn, and greater sage-grouse. Recognizing the urgency of post-fire rehabilitation, BLM awarded a contract to an experienced aerial seeding company. The contract funded the distribution of locally sourced Wyoming big sagebrush, silver sage, and black sagebrush to seed over approximately 8,100 acres of priority areas identified in BLM’s post-fire assessment.

Supporting Wildlife and Preventing Invasive Species

Restoring sagebrush cover is critical for wildlife that rely on this ecosystem. The Robertson Draw area provides important seasonal habitat for big game species and supports a variety of birds, including sage-grouse, which depend on sagebrush for food and cover.

Local ranchers and conservation groups have also supported the effort, recognizing the role of sagebrush in preventing erosion and maintaining watershed health. Without intervention, burned landscapes are at risk of invasion by cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), an aggressive non-native species that increases fire frequency and threatens native plant communities.

Looking Ahead: Hand-Planting 31,000 Sagebrush Seedlings

In addition to aerial seeding, BLM is partnering with the Mule Deer Foundation to transplant 31,000 sagebrush seedlings into high-priority recovery areas. These seedlings, propagated from seed collected adjacent to the burn area and currently being grown at Special K Ranch, will be planted by Mule Deer Foundation contractors and staff in spring 2025. Two hundred seedlings were planted in late fall 2024 by BLM staff and conservation partners.

BLM will continue monitoring the burn area to track seedling survival, control invasive species, and adjust management strategies as needed.