Restoration of sagebrush habitats through conifer removal – FAQs

View the Pinyon-Juniper removal FAQs

Expansion of native conifers (evergreen trees such as juniper, pinyon pine, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir) into sagebrush ecosystems is degrading and reducing rangelands important to wildlife and people. As conifers expand into previously treeless shrublands, predictable changes occur resulting in the loss of sagebrush habitats and imperiled species, like sage grouse. Conifer expansion is recognized as a primary threat to the conservation of sage grouse and sagebrush ecosystems and land managers are working together to scale up targeted conifer removal to maintain dwindling shrubland habitats. Below are some answers to frequently asked questions related to these efforts.