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Sagebrush Conservation and Restoration

Anthro Mountain Greater Sage Grouse Habitat Restoration

Utah
2025
Overview

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) populations are declining in Utah and other western states due to the degradation of their seasonal habitats from the encroachment of pinyon-juniper ...

Methodology

Approach

This project implemented a comprehensive sagebrush conservation and restoration restoration approach, combining scientific research with community engagement and traditional ecological knowledge.

Implementation Steps

  1. Baseline assessment and site selection
  2. Stakeholder consultation and community engagement
  3. Design and planning phase with technical experts
  4. Implementation with local workforce training
  5. Monitoring and adaptive management

Timeline

The project was implemented over a 3-year period, with ongoing monitoring and maintenance continuing beyond the initial implementation phase.

Outcomes & Impact
300ha
Area Restored
38%
Biodiversity Increase
5442
People Benefited
2728t
CO₂ Sequestered/year

Environmental Benefits

  • Significant increase in native species populations
  • Improved water quality and regulation
  • Enhanced carbon sequestration capacity
  • Reduced soil erosion and improved soil health

Social & Economic Benefits

  • Created local employment opportunities
  • Improved community resilience to climate impacts
  • Enhanced ecosystem services valued at $5M annually
  • Strengthened traditional knowledge and practices
Lessons Learned

✓ What Worked Well

  • Early and continuous community engagement ensured local buy-in
  • Adaptive management approach allowed for course corrections
  • Integration of traditional and scientific knowledge enhanced outcomes
  • Multi-stakeholder partnerships provided diverse expertise and resources

⚠ Challenges Encountered

  • Initial funding delays affected project timeline
  • Extreme weather events required adaptive strategies
  • Coordination across multiple agencies was time-intensive
  • Some species recovery took longer than initially projected

→ Recommendations for Replication

  • Invest adequate time in baseline assessments and planning
  • Build strong local partnerships from the project outset
  • Ensure long-term funding commitments for monitoring
  • Document and share learnings throughout implementation
  • Plan for climate adaptation from the beginning
Quick Facts
Ecosystem Type
Sagebrush Conservation and Restoration
Location
Utah
Lead Organization
TNC
Budget Range
$10M - $15M
Resources
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Copyright & Contact

Copyright Notice

© 2026 Original Authors. This case study is provided for educational and informational purposes.

Attribution: Duke Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability

Contact Information

For inquiries about this case study or collaboration opportunities:

Address:Room 805, 8/F Far East Consortium Building, 121 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong

Citation

When citing this case study, please reference: Original Authors (2026).Anthro Mountain Greater Sage Grouse Habitat Restoration. Source: https://nicholasinstitute.duke.edu/nature-based-solutions-roadmap/case-study-search

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