Wildlife habitat on rangelands is one of the most pressing conservation issues in western North America. Nearly all western upland gamebird species rely on rangeland habitats. USU Extension's Rangeland-Wildlife Habitat Lab focuses on providing the best available scientific information concerning the assessment of management and conservation practices for these species, especially our native grouse species.
Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus)
​
-
Found in Utah and other western states and provinces
-
Obligates to sagebrush ecosystems
-
Require vast expanses of contiguous sagebrush habitat
-
Are the largest grouse species in North America
-
High conservation concern, but not currently listed under the Endangered Species Act (1973)
Gunnison Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus minimus)
​
-
Only found in Colorado and Utah
-
Determined to be a separate species from greater sage-grouse in 2000
-
Distinct breeding display by males and one-third smaller than the greater sage-grouse
-
sagebrush ecosystem obligate
-
In 2014, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (1973)