Advantages of a Landscape Scale. Multi-species Agreement The efforts of the Association's livestock/agricultural producers and extractive industries are inextricably linked and particularly well-suited to implement conservation measures across northeastern Wyoming. Either through direct ownership or arrangements of long-term leases, Association members control an extensive land area that facilitates management on a landscape scale. The combination of members focused on livestock grazing and those members representing extractive industries provide a unique synergy for implementing cooperative conservation measures to achieve enhanced habitat conditions for the covered species. While energy companies will implement conservation measures on lands they control, the vast majority of the area covered by the Agreement is owned by members engaged in livestock grazing. The system of conservation measures included in this Agreement has been structured to provide incentives and mechanisms to facilitate these cooperative efforts and ensure these conservation measures are successful. This process encourages voluntary, cooperative conservation measures occurring on enrolled property across the landscape for the benefit of the covered species. By working on a landscape scale, the Association seeks to maintain and enhance sustainable populations and associated habitat of the covered species in a manner that would remove the need to list the species as threatened or endangered. Creating an environment in which existing livestock/agricultural producers, extractive industries, and other participants are encouraged to continue their current operations and keep landscapes intact is important to the long-term conservation of covered species populations and associated habitats. The CCAA/CCA approach offers an opportunity for property owners, including extractive industries, government and state agencies, and additional partners to work together voluntarily to identify and implement conservation measures to preserve covered species populations and their habitats within the coverage area. The area of Wyoming covered by this Agreement is home to one species that is a candidate for listing under the ESA (greater sage-grouse) and additional species of concern including Xxxxxx’x sparrow, sage sparrow, sage xxxxxxxx, black-tailed prairie dog, mountain plover, burrowing owl, and ferruginous hawk. Recognizing the landscape-scale habitat needs of the greater sage-grouse in particular, the Association has created a strate...
