Cooperative Sagebrush Steppe Restoration Initiative/Implementation

Project is the implementation phase of the Cooperative Sagebrush Steppe Restoration Initiative, a planning project partnership that was funded with a NRCS Conservation Partnership Initiative (CPI) grant in 2005. The primary work of the partnership is to assist Producers in restoring sagebrush steppe and related ecosystems through the removal of invasive western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) and applying post treatment adaptive management techniques. Ancillary work may include installation of structural practices that will aid in the implementation of the adaptive management techniques. The partnership will implement its innovative restoration prescriptions on Producer operations that have had plans completed through the CPI program and on lands of additional Producers. The partnership will cross share knowledge with a parallel USFS/BLM project that focuses on federally managed lands. Treatment prescriptions will include the use of conventional and modified forestry equipment to remove invasive juniper on Producer grazing lands. The removed material will be chipped and delivered to a biomass power facility where it will be used as a renewable Energy source in the production of electricity. Post treatment grazing and management prescriptions will be applied that insure restoration and persistence of vibrant sagebrush steppe Habitat.