Sage Grouse Program Set June 21

One of the West's favorite game birds, now considered by some as a candidate for the endangered species list, will be the subject of a presentation in Boise this month. Michelle Commons, a member of one of the sage grouse working groups studying the bird's decline in southern Idaho, will present a program about sage grouse at the MK Nature Center at 600 S. Walnut on Wednesday, June 21, 2000 at 7 p.m. Sage grouse have been in the news over the last few years as more people become aware of their declining numbers. Many people are concerned that sage grouse may be listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. If sage grouse are listed, it will have an impact on how public land is used in Idaho. Working groups have been formed with members from state and federal agencies, as well as concerned private citizens. They want to discover the reasons behind declining sage grouse populations. If problems are discovered and corrected, sage grouse may avoid being listed. Michelle Commons will explain the studies she has been conducting and what makes good sage grouse habitat. She will also discuss some of the management problems sage grouse present to wildlife managers and land owners.