The Southwest Montana Sagebrush Partnership (SMSP) was created in 2018. This group is a diverse partnership with a mutual interest of delivering conservation in the sagebrush biome of Southwest Montana in a coordinated, efficient manner. The partner list is long but includes NRCS and other federal agencies, ranchers and small business owners, the State of Montana, local conservation districts, and non-governmental organizations. The work of the partnership aligns with the WLFW Sagebrush Biome Framework Conservation Actions of mesic restoration, annual grass invasion, woodland expansion, and land use conversion while also tackling big game migration routes through conservation easements and fence modifications. The coordinator for the group is an employee of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) with support from the Bureau of Land Management, Intermountain West Joint Venture, NRCS, and others. NRCS Montana worked with TNC to develop an agreement in 2020 with the following objectives:
- Increase the pace and scale of conservation delivery;
- Stimulate and support targeted science efforts to guide conservation actions; and
- Enhance communication methods to improve public understanding and support.
The SMSP Coordinator engages with NRCS offices in Targeted Implementation Plan (TIP) development and implementation, playing a key role in ensuring efficient cross boundary implementation in a mixed ownership landscape in order to maximize impact. An exciting and innovative approach is also the focus on youth employment opportunities and job creation through conservation.
The infographic shown here highlights the accomplishments through 2021 by the Southwest Montana Sagebrush Partnership. For more information on this partnership, visit the Southwest Montana Sagebrush Partnership Website.
This partnership fits into the Working Lands for Wildlife Sagebrush Biome Framework for Conservation Action.
