Introduction and General Description

The Gunnison Valley is located in west-central Colorado at an elevation of approximately 7,700 feet. Several stream and rivers converge in the area to form the Gunnison River. Wet meadows, sagebrush steppe, and irrigated pasture/hay fields predominate the non-forested areas of the valley.

Habitats of Special Concern

Sagebrush steppe and wet meadow are the Focus Area habitat types for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program. The Gunnison sage grouse is a candidate for federal listing, and the Partners Program is working with landowners to restore its habitat.

Threats and Conservation Strategies

Sagebrush control and season-long grazing were the primary impacts to sage grouse habitat in the past. Housing development associated with expanding opportunities in Gunnison, the Crested Butte ski area, and second home construction is becoming a potential threat.

The Gunnison sage grouse relies on both private and public lands for habitat. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program provides a mechanism for habitat restoration efforts to occur on private lands. These efforts will complement those to be taken on Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service properties.

Sagebrush Habitat

Sagebrush in the area often lacks a herbaceous understory of grasses and forbs. This understory provides cover and food for adult and young sage grouse. The limited use of a "Dixie Harrow" opens the sage canopy, allowing an understory of grasses and forbs to re-establish. Seeding of native species and exclusion of grazing until the vegetation is established are also project components.

Dixie harrow used to stimulate understory growth in sagebrush.

Wet Meadow

Wet meadows are important foraging areas for sage grouse broods due their high insect production. Throughout the west, water development has reduced spring flows through water diversion and storage. Cooperating landowners see irrigation water as a tool for habitat enhancement and are willing to use their water for wildlife. Use of irrigation water and floodplain topography allows the restoration of wet meadow habitat values. Although sage grouse brood foraging is the primary goal, these projects also benefit many species of shorebirds, waterfowl, and neotropical migratory birds.

Most restoration projects for Gunnison sage grouse include both upland and wet meadow components. The average cost for this work is $112/acre.

Partners

The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program in the Gunnison Focus Area has developed funding and planning relationships with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Great Outdoors Colorado, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ducks Unlimited, and local conservation groups. As always, the private landowners interested in habitat restoration are the key to program success.

Accomplishments

The Partners Program effort in this Focus area is less than 2 year old, yet we have had a great start:

• 22 landowner agreements have been developed
• 561 acres of wet meadow have been restored
• 838 acres of upland habitat have been restored
• 4.5 miles of riparian habitat have been restored

Future Needs

• Expansion of our current focus is the primary goal to be achieved. We estimate that 15,000 acres of habitat could be restored in this Focus Area.
• Evaluation of habitat restoration efforts and use by sage grouse and other target species is needed.
• Opportunities to work with ranchers on stream and wetland restoration will be explored.

For more information, contact:

Rick Schnaderbeck
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
9383 El Rancho Lane
Alamosa, CO 81101
(719) 852-0124
rick_schnaderbeck@fws.gov