The Cheatgrass Challenge

Cheatgrass and other invasive annual grasses, such as, medusahead and ventenata, are taking over America’s sagebrush rangelands, increasing wildfire size and frequency, reducing forage productivity, and threatening wildlife habitat and rural economies. Lack of bold and coordinated action is making our working lands less productive for each passing generation. Fortunately, we’re not helpless and it’s not too late.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service in Idaho and Wyoming are teaming up with each other and with partners in their respective states to address these invasive annuals. Dubbed the Cheatgrass Challenge, it is a call to arms for agricultural producers, federal and state agencies, educational institutions and non-profit organizations. As the Challenge develops we will be posting additional information and resources on this page, so please check back regularly for updates.

To find out more, click here: The Cheatgrass Challenge (PDF; 744 KB)

Cheatgrass Documents

Tackling Idaho’s Cheatgrass Challenge  (PDF; 3.3 MB)

Cheatgrass Challenge Guidance for NRCS Planners in Idaho (PDF; 396 KB) 

Cheatgrass Management Handbook  (PDF; 3.5 MB)

Threat-Based Land Management in the Northern Great Basin: A Manager’s Guide (PDF; 11 MB)

Threat-Based Land Management in the Northern Great Basin: A Field Guide (PDF; 2.9 MB)

Cheatgrass Challenge Proposal (fillable) (PDF; 88 KB)

Cheatgrass Challenge Proposal (Word; 15 KB)

Rangeland Analysis Platform (RAP) Webinar Documents and Video

Rangeland Analysis Platform Webinar YouTube Video  New

RAP Demonstration and Applications for Idaho’s Cheatgrass Challenge  (PDF; 11.6 MB)

RAP Landscape Cover of Annuals GIS Layer 

Idaho Partner Websites

US Bureau of Land Management: https://www.blm.gov/idaho

US Fish and Wildlife Service: https://www.fws.gov/idaho/

US Forest Service: https://www.fs.usda.gov/

US Forests and Rangelands: https://www.forestsandrangelands.gov/rangeland/index.shtml  

US Forest Health Protection: https://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/

Idaho Dept. of Agriculture: https://agri.idaho.gov/main/

Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game: https://idfg.idaho.gov/

Idaho Dept. of Lands: https://www.idl.idaho.gov/

Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation: https://ifwf.org/

Idaho Office of Species Conservation: https://species.idaho.gov/

Idaho Rangeland Conservation Partnership: https://idahorcp.org/

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: https://www.nfwf.org/

Working Lands for Wildlife: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/?cid=stelprdb1046975

Western Governors Association: https://westgov.org/