Beneficial Management Practices for Saskatchewan Species at Risk: Greater Sage-grouse Endangered

Long black & white tail with pointy tips Black patch on belly White band on black throat Large ruff of white feathers on chest Yellow combs above eyes

Found in warm, dry grasslands where sagebrush, particularly where Silver Sagebrush is present Restricted to sagebrush community due to attributes that meet needs throughout life cycle Feeds on soft vegetation such as sagebrush, flowering plants and insects

Located in the SW corner of the province where sagebrush communities exist Status: Endangered Declined due habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, increased predation, West Nile virus and genetic inbreeding birds in Saskatchewan

Beneficial Management Practices Habitat Size Retain all remaining natural prairie within a 5 to 10 km radius around a Greater Sage-grouse lek

Grazing Avoid early spring livestock use of sage grouse habitat Graze lightly and periodically in the early spring or late dormant season Avoid concentrated grazing or supplemental feeding in sagebrush communities in the winter

Grazing (cont’d) Limit sheep utilization of sage grouse habitat Avoid water developments that disrupt the natural flow of water to low-lying moist areas or function of riparian vegetation Install escape ramps in existing steep sided water troughs and dugouts

Grazing (cont’d) Avoid installing fences within sage grouse habitat where fences did not previously exist When rebuilding existing fences, make at least the top 2 wires smooth rather than barbed

Woody Vegetation Do not plant trees or shrubs on native grasslands within 5 to 10 km of a lek Remove man-made structures from native or tame grassland that serve as roosts for avian predators Avoid removal or reduction of woody shrubs (i.e. Silver Sagebrush) by any method within 5 to 10 km of a lek

Roads Restrict traffic on roads within 3 km of a sage grouse lek during breeding & nesting Restrict traffic speed on roads to 10km of a sage grouse lek Encourage resource developers to minimize construction of new roads and trails within 3 km of sage grouse lek

Ecotourism & Off Highway Vehicle Use Avoid ecotourism activities and using all terrain vehicles and in sage grouse habitat during breeding and nesting period