A private landowner-led organization released a report evaluating lessons learned during greater sage-grouse conservation efforts across 11 states between 2010 and 2015.

The report collected responses from over 40 stakeholders, including private landowners, non-profit organizations, elected officials as well as state and federal agencies.

According to the results, the most important approach was building trustworthy relationships, which are developed through good communication. 

Steve Jester, executive director of Partners for Conservation, said if stakeholders don’t spend time working on these partnerships, it will be harder to sustain landscapes for both people and nature in the future.

“Then we will be somewhat behind the curve, the next time a challenge of this magnitude rolls around, which it will happen again,” said Jester.

Jester said these partnerships made the federal protections for the sage grouse unnecessary in 2015. He hopes the information will guide future conservation on natural resources challenges.