Grouse: The Most Controversial Bird in the West

In Idaho and in the Western U.S., you hear a lot of concern expressed over the loss of sage grouse habitat and its possible risk of extinction. In the new podcast, Grouse, hosted by reporter Ashley Ahearn, she takes a deeper dive into the most controversial bird in the West and how this bird can teach us a lot about the changing landscapes of rural and urban America. It also takes a deeper look into efforts of saving this native Idaho bird. Episodes range from the importance of the sage grouse to indigenous cultures, the oil and gas industry, cattle grazing, wildfire threats and more. Ahearn takes on the difficult question of whether industry and the sage grouse can co-exist. 

As stated in an article by Frank Barnhill, " The sage grouse represents some of the biggest controversies in the Mountain West. From armed standoffs on public land in Nevada and Oregon, to explosive growth, wildfires, wild horses, big oil and fracking, every issue is connected to the sage grouse. This strange prehistoric bird is a hot button political issue." 

The podcast also features, Idaho Business for the Outdoors board member and rancher, Merrill Beyeler. Beyeler talks about the relationship between ranchers and the land and his views on everyone's responsibility to care and preserve rangeland. 

Grouse is an eight-part podcast series produced in partnership with BirdNote Presents and distributed in collaboration with Boise State Public Radio. Find it online or download where you listen to your favorite podcasts.