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

2021 Sagebrush Steppe Initiative
AuduBlog

2021 Sagebrush Steppe Initiative

Identifying and protecting Washington's sagebrush lands

Value of the Shrub-Steppe
AuduBlog

Value of the Shrub-Steppe

Washington Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Kim Thorburn reflects on the intrinsic value of Washington's sagelands

Grouse: A Podcast About the Bird That's Dividing the West
AuduBlog

Grouse: A Podcast About the Bird That's Dividing the West

BirdNote's new podcast uses Sage-Grouse to tell a story about hope, compromise, and life in rural America.

Fire in the Shrub-steppe
Working Lands

Fire in the Shrub-steppe

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

Growing Support for Sustainable Farms and Fields
AuduBlog

Growing Support for Sustainable Farms and Fields

Washington Farm Bureau and other Key Stakeholders Join Coalition of Support for Sustainable Farms and Fields

Ending on a high note
AuduBlog

Ending on a high note

Christi Norman reflects on her 22 years at Audubon

What’s Up With the Greater Sage-Grouse?
Working Lands

What’s Up With the Greater Sage-Grouse?

A definitive guide to the most talked-about bird in the West.

Sagebrush Songbird Conservation
Working Lands

Sagebrush Songbird Conservation

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

Conserving the Sagebrush Sea
Working Lands

Conserving the Sagebrush Sea

Working to protect the beauty that is Eastern Washington.

How you can help, right now