The California Fish and Game Commission recently granted candidacy to the greater sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), providing protection to the species for at least a year. In the meantime, the Department of Fish and Wildlife will conduct a review and recommend whether the bird should be permanently protected under the ESA.
The decision comes following a 2022 petition submitted by the Center for Biological Diversity. “Given the greater sage-grouse’s limited range, declining populations and known threats, listing as an endangered or threatened species clearly ‘may be warranted,’” the group wrote in the petition.
The group contends that sage grouse risk disappearing from the state due to competition from domestic and feral livestock, habitat loss and fragmentation, mining, climate change, wildfire and invasive species.
“These special birds have endured so much habitat loss and their populations are plummeting,” Ileene Anderson, a senior scientist at the Center, said in a statement. “It was the right call to grant sage grouse candidate status while the department uses the best science available to review their plight.”
Background
In their petition, the Center for Biological Diversity asked for the greater sage-grouse to be listed as threatened or endangered throughout its range in the state of California. If listing throughout the range is not warranted, the petition requests two populations be considered for listing separately: the “Northeastern California population” in Lassen and Modoc counties, and the “Bi-state population” in Mono and Inyo counties.
The group noted the Bi-state population is around 3,300 birds, and the number of birds in northeastern California is significantly declining.
“In completing its Petition Evaluation, the Department has determined that the Petition does provide sufficient scientific information that the petitioned action to list the greater sage-grouse as threatened or endangered under the California Endangered Species Act may be warranted,” the department determined. — Anna Miller, WLJ managing editor





