Nevada commits $2 million to sage-grouse pilots to kick start conservation market

The State of Nevada has announced a commitment of $2 million to pilot projects for greater sage-grouse conservation through the Nevada Conservation Credit System, which is now available to land managers on private and public lands.

“The State of Nevada has shown incredible leadership in investing in solutions for the greater sage-grouse that also benefit Nevada’s agricultural and energy economies,” said Eric Holst, associate vice president of working lands and habitat markets at Environmental Defense Fund. “This $2 million designated to pilot projects will kick start the credit system by providing a strong financial incentive for landowners to earn new revenue through credit projects that can eventually be sold as mitigation to industry buyers.”

The pilot funding will be made available for projects on both private and public lands, which Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval and Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell agreed last week would support the institution of the credit system.

“The Secretary recognizes the need for Nevada stakeholders to accrue mitigation credits on public lands through the state Conservation Credit System,” Governor Sandoval said in a statement. “I secured a commitment from the Secretary to immediately proceed with a pilot project to demonstrate this process in Nevada while we work towards full integration of this ability in the Conservation Credit System.”