Department of Agriculture (USDA) investigated some of the reasons for the declining sage-grouse population. Researchers observed cattle who share grazing land with the sage-grouse. They found that cattle, after consuming about 40% of the tussocks in between sagebrush bushes, will continue to consume the tussocks growing underneath the sagebrush, thereby destroying the nesting habitat for the sage-grouse. In order to preserve the population of sage-grouse, ranchers can monitor the rate at which cattle consume the tussocks in between sagebrush bushes. Once cattle have consumed around 40% of the tussocks in between bushes, researchers ask that ranchers move their cattle to new grazing trail. GPS trackers show that sage grouse congregate in small areas with certain resources, rather than being widely spread. US federal conservation plans have been met with lawsuits from wildlife organizations. On December 6, 2018, according to the New York Times: As a mascot The sagehen is the mascot of the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens, the joint athletics program for Pomona College and Pitzer College, two of the Claremont Colleges. References External links Restoration Handbook for Sagebrush Steppe Ecosystems with Emphasis on Greater Sage-grouse Habitat. U.S. Geological Survey Grouse Bird genera Taxa named by William John Swainson