On October 31, the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Forest Service released a new plan outlining critical science needs for implementing the Department of the Interior?s Integrated Rangeland Fire Management Strategy. The goals of the strategy are to reduce the severity of rangeland wildfires and address the spread of cheatgrass and other invasive plants, as well as support rangeland fire response and effectively restore healthy rangeland landscapes. The science plan supports these goals by identifying 37 priority science needs within five overarching topic areas including: fire, invasive plants, restoration, sagebrush and greater sage-grouse, and climate and weather. The research will support efforts to conserve sagebrush habitat by supporting native plant restoration and landscape rehabilitation after fires, new seeding methods, and more.

?We know that addressing the threat of rangeland fire is critical to conserving sagebrush habitat and the many species, including the greater sage grouse that depend on it for survival. The science plan unveiled today helps us do just that,? said Interior Secretary Sally Jewell.  ?With so much at stake, both ecologically and economically, we are committed to the plan?s successful implementation and continued collaboration with states, scientists, resource managers, western communities, ranchers and farmers.?