Sagelands Program

Identifying and protecting Washington's shrub-steppe ecosystem

Photo: Dave Showalter

The sagebrush steppe is an iconic habitat of the western United States, a seemingly vast and open landscape described by some as the “sagebrush sea.” Here in Washington State, approximately 10.5 million acres of the Columbia Plateau ecoregion were once covered by sagebrush and native grasses. Today, these arid lands have largely been converted to agricultural fields and fragmented by residential and urban development, resulting in over 50% loss of our historic sagebrush habitat.

The remaining sagebrush areas are under threat from climate change, development pressure, increased fire frequency, incompatible grazing practices, and invasive species.

Through community science and advocacy, landowner outreach, collaborative partnerships and policy initiatives, Audubon Washington and our local chapters are building on our record of conservation action to support local economies and secure the future for sagebrush bird species and the habitat they rely on.

In the arid lands of the Columbia Plateau we work with our chapter network and partners in the the Arid Lands Initiative to identify, connect, and protect the best remaining bird habitat. We manage local, hands-on efforts to:
  • Protect remaining critical sagebrush habitat
  • Close information gaps in our knowledge of focal bird species’ distribution and habitat needs
  • Build public-private partnerships in support of habitat connectivity and rangeland fire 
  • Influence land management in priority sagebrush lands 
  • Advance multi-benefit renewable energy siting​
 
Sagebrush Songbird Conservation
Working Lands

Sagebrush Songbird Conservation

Building off of our landmark Sagebrush Songbird Survey to protect birds in Washington's Sagebrush Steppe

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Fire in the Shrub-steppe
Working Lands

Fire in the Shrub-steppe

Towards fire resilience and landscape rehabilitation in Washington’s shrub-steppe

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Solar Energy: Siting it Right in the Columbia Plateau
Conservation

Solar Energy: Siting it Right in the Columbia Basin

A balanced approach to 100% clean electricity

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Priority Birds of Eastern Washington

Sagebrush Steppe News Feed

Finding Balance in a Changing Climate
AuduBlog

Finding Balance in a Changing Climate

Audubon Washington and eleven chapter affiliates advocate for protecting birds as Washington state seeks to better understand the environmental impacts of a 100% clean energy transition.

Chapter Spotlight: North Central Audubon Society Works to Maximize Bird Habitat Potential at Rock Island Ponds
AuduBlog

Chapter Spotlight: North Central Audubon Society Works to Maximize Bird Habitat Potential at Rock Island Ponds

Audubon-affiliated chapters don't shy away from conservation projects that take years or decades. North Central Washington Audubon's latest conservation goal is to see areas at Rock Island Ponds enhanced over the next decade or so to maximize their potential as nature reserves

By the Numbers: 2023 Legislative Session
AuduBlog

By the Numbers: 2023 Legislative Session

Here's what it took to pass bills for birds this year.

2023 Legislative Session Ends with a Hat Trick!
Press Center

2023 Legislative Session Ends with a Hat Trick!

Three important conservation and climate bills passed through the WA state legislature this year, making a significant impact on habitat and communities

Audubon Washington’s Bird Budget
Press Center

Audubon Washington’s Bird Budget

Critical state spending protects Washington's birds

A Pivotal Year for Washington’s Sagelands
AuduBlog

A Pivotal Year for Washington’s Sagelands

Important work is underway in the arid sagebrush lands of Washington’s Columbia Plateau

Speak Up for the Birds this Legislative Session
Press Center

Speak Up for the Birds this Legislative Session

The 2023 legislative session is underway. We have numerous opportunities to protect birds through policy change and funding in the state budget.

A Win for the Audubon Network: The Landmark Sagebrush Songbird Survey
Press Center

A Win for the Audubon Network: The Landmark Sagebrush Songbird Survey

The final report was just released for the Sagebrush Songbird Survey, an unprecedented community science partnership to create sagebrush songbird distribution models in Washington's imperiled shrub steppe ecosystem

2022 Legislative Session Recap for Climate, Puget Sound, Sagelands, and Bird-friendly Communities
Press Center

2022 Legislative Session Recap for Climate, Puget Sound, Sagelands, and Bird-friendly Communities

The 60-day legislative session wrapped up on March 10 with some fantastic victories for birds, as well as important policies that didn’t make the cut.

How you can help, right now