Lands falling within the region of the VYA conservation district VCD WWW vyacd ORG are characterized by a mosaic of habitats including sagebrush steppe, wet meadows and riparian zones, and forested…

Lands falling within the region of the VYA conservation district VCD WWW vyacd ORG are characterized by a mosaic of habitats including sagebrush steppe, wet meadows and riparian zones, and forested areas the lands provide critical habitat for a multitude of sagebrush species, including sage grouse, mule deer, pronghorn, and migratory birds projects funded under this opportunity will enhance the sagebrush, i e , grow the core, and protect restore wetlands and mesic habitats, and will be the result of a collaboration with VCD and landowners willing to implement activities that benefit sagebrush and wet meadow habitats projects funded will include activities such as exclosure fencing for springs, fencing to facilitate grazing management, in stream restoration structures, juniper removal, seeding with native species, invasive weed control, and low tech process based restoration of riparian areas the in stream installation of structures e g , rock or wood are designed to slow and disperse water flows and capture sediment as a result of raising the water table, wet meadow habitat will increase and provide ecological benefits including breeding and foraging habitat for birds and invertebrates and habitat for wetland plants fencing out spring sources provides protection to critical water sources removal of old fence and improvements to existing new fence will facilitate wildlife movement through the area and provide for controlled livestock grazing control of noxious and invasive species will allow for more desirable species to dominate areas as will seeding of native species various priority sagebrush species will benefit from this project including greater sage grouse, dark kangaroo mouse, brewer s sparrow, sage thrasher, and sagebrush sparrow nevada partners for fish and wildlife recently completed their strategic planning for 2022 2026 and the project area lies within one of their focus areas the project area is within core sage grouse habitat and primarily within the 25 best areas identified in the sage strategic habitat conservation design for sagebrush obligate bird breeding habitats across the sagebrush biome tack 2016 this area lies within the black rock high rock priority area for the nevada shared stewardship and pronghorn priority areas designated through secretarial order 3362