Since the late 1970's researchers became
aware that the Sage Grouse in the Gunnison Basin, Colorado were unique from Sage Grouse found elsewhere in most
of the United States. Concern about the status, declining populations and the long-term survival of the grouse started to surface in the early 90's. In 1995, a group of agency personnel, non-profits representatives, citizens, and other interested public began to meet every two weeks to create a local conservation plan for the species. The final plan was completed in June 1997 and represented participation by the Black Canyon Audubon Society, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Division of Wildlife, Gunnison County Planning Commission, Gunnison County Stockgrowers, Gunnison County Weed Commission, High Country Citizens' Alliance, National Park Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and several individuals from the general public. The plan became a model for other local working groups and local conservation plans were put into place in several other populations during the following years. Currently, the local working plans and the Gunnison Sage-grouse rangewide conservation plan created in 2005 remain important documents for guiding the conservation and recovery of the Gunnison Grouse.The Gunnison Sage Grouse Working Group continues to work at prioritizing and implementing conservation actions for grouse in the Gunnison Basin. For more information about the group, please contact either Jessica Young (jyoung@western.edu), Chair or Sandy Borthwick (sandy_borthwick@blm.gov), Vice Chair.
