Advancing Ongoing Conservation with New BLM-IWJV Agreement in Restoration Landscapes
Through the historic Inflation Reduction Act, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has selected Restoration Landscapes where they will provide additional investments in ecosystem restoration and the economic resilience of communities. Through these investments, the Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV) and the BLM are excited to announce they are enhancing ongoing sagebrush conservation and restoration through a new intra-agency agreement to establish new capacity positions in 13 of these Restoration Landscape regions. This new element of partnership between the BLM and IWJV aims to continue decades of conservation work and advance successful models of sustainable land management practices in sagebrush country.
“The BLM has invested heavily in sagebrush landscapes across the West, restoring or enhancing over 5.6 million acres since 2013, and this new funding grows our collaboration with the IWJV to help the good on the ground work happening now to continue,” said Frank Quamen, Division Chief for Wildlife Conservation, Aquatics, and Environmental Protection in the BLM’s Headquarters Office. “The IWJV and the BLM are eager to continue this journey of cooperative conservation and we are driven by a shared dedication to conserving the unique and diverse ecosystems for the vibrant communities of the Intermountain West.”
Building off the past eight years of work in an effort known as Partnering to Conserve Sagebrush Rangelands, the IWJV is collaborating with the BLM to establish these new conservation capacity positions to provide technical assistance, coordination of partnership efforts, communication and outreach, and additional support as identified by BLM and partners.
The IWJV and BLM will be conducting outreach to local and state collaborating partners throughout the fall of 2023 around this funding and the capacity position opportunities. The intent of outreach efforts is to connect existing projects and inform discussions to ensure capacity positions are successful. The work these positions will be charged with is based on the investment strategies developed by each restoration landscape with the flexibility to work outside of the landscapes, as needed. The positions will be hosted by non-federal partners who will help to select, train, and support new hires. These new roles will be flown throughout the late fall of 2023 through early spring of 2024.
“We are thrilled to help establish these positions so they can collaborate with the BLM’s Restoration Landscape staff,” said Mandi Hirsch, Sagebrush Conservation Coordinator with the IWJV. “Their additional capacity will complement and grow needed conservation delivery mechanisms in these important landscapes as well as bolster the surrounding community they live within.”
Key highlights of this collaboration include:
“The Restoration Landscapes are an area of focus due to the successful models of conservation already at work there. This is a key moment to advance habitat restoration that will resonate across these landscapes for years to come.”
Enhanced Conservation Capacity: The Inflation Reduction Act funding is enabling the BLM and IWJV to hire additional staff to bolster the conservation workforce within the Restoration Landscapes. These dedicated positions will play a crucial role in implementing habitat restoration projects and managing public lands sustainably.
Strategic Conservation Planning: The IWJV will work hand in hand with the BLM through collaborative planning and data-driven decision-making to maximize the impact of federal investments.
Science-Based Solutions: The partnership will emphasize using science and research to inform conservation practices. By leveraging the IWJV's expertise in habitat and partnership management, the BLM can make well-informed decisions that benefit wildlife and land health objectives.
Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging communities, landowners, and other locals is a key component of this partnership. By fostering strong relationships and collaboration with regional partners, the IWJV and BLM will continue their shared vision for conservation.
Long-Term Sustainability: The collaboration seeks to build lasting conservation capacity and resilience in the Intermountain West. By addressing the challenges of habitat loss and degradation, this partnership aims to leave a positive legacy for future generations.
“The Restoration Landscapes are an area of focus due to the successful models of conservation already at work there,” Quamen said. “This is a key moment to advance habitat restoration that will resonate across these landscapes for years to come.”
About Intermountain West Joint Venture:
The Intermountain West Joint Venture (IWJV) is a conservation partnership working across 11 western states to conserve priority bird habitats for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, and people. The IWJV's collaborative approach brings together diverse stakeholders to address the most pressing challenges facing our natural landscapes.
About the Bureau of Land Management:
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages public lands for the benefit of present and future generations, supporting conservation and responsible land use. The BLM's Restoration Landscapes program focuses on enhancing the health and resilience of public lands, ensuring they remain vibrant and productive for generations to come.
About the IWJV-BLM’s Partnering to Conserve Sagebrush Rangelands:
The purpose of this partnership is to catalyze proactive, voluntary, and community-led sagebrush rangeland conservation – expanding across private and public lands. This is accomplished by promoting healthy working lands in the American West for people and wildlife. The IWJV and BLM use the latest science; bring a diversity of perspectives, values, and resources together for a common purpose; and, implement on-the-ground conservation.