People interested in sage grouse conservation and its implications in the Miles City area, including south to the Wyoming border, are encouraged to attend a meeting Thursday, January 8, 2004, at 3 pm, Auditorium of Miles City VA, 210 South Winchester, to start the Miles City Sage Grouse Local Working Group.
Glasgow, Dillon, and Miles City are the first three Montana communities to establish local working groups to implement the Montana Sage Grouse Management Plan. This plan was developed by livestock producers, sportsmen, biologists, and many other interested parties. It is available on the Internet: www.fwp.state.mt.us/wildthings/sagegrouse/default.asp.
The plan describes the status of, and the threats to, Montanas sage grouse population and sagebrush habitat. It provides a toolbox of information and conservation approaches, designed for tailoring to community conditions and concerns. The Miles City Working Group and other local groups will use the toolbox to plan and conduct activities that benefit sage grouse populations and sagebrush habitat. These groups will work cooperatively with federal and state agencies and will have the opportunity to recommend actions that could be taken on public lands.
"The issue of sage grouse is a real one," said rancher Jim Hagenbarth at the Dillon kick-off meeting. "Whether the sage grouse conservation effort is successful will be determined by the local working groups. The health of the sagebrush ecosystem is the bottom line for all of us."
The January 8 meeting will include an overview of sage grouse issues, a quick review of the state plan, and a discussion of how the Miles City Working Group will function over the next several months. At the close of the meeting, participants will be invited to consider becoming members of the Miles City Working Group.
The meeting will be facilitated by the Cossitt Consulting team. If you have questions or if you are interested but cant attend the meeting please contact Anne Cossitt, Cossitt Consulting, Park City, Montana, 633-2213, cossitt@usadig.com.
Kickoff Meeting -- Miles City Sage Grouse Working Group Thursday, January 8, 2004 -- 3 PM to 5:30 PM Auditorium of Miles City VA, 210 South Winchester, Miles City (Use the Nursing Home Care Entrance to the VA)
CONTACT:
Anne Cossitt Cossitt Consulting Park City, Montana 633-2213 cossitt@usadig.com
