Mama Sage

Sagebrush ecosystems make up a vast portion of lands in the arid mountain west; the cold desert. To passersby the land may look devoid of life, dry, and lacking productivity. In reality, sagebrush provide lodging and food to small and big game animals, rodents, reptiles, birds, and others. In fact, sagebrush is such an important ecosystem element, there is a sign just west of Carbon County at the Waltman Rest Area that describes sagebrush.

The first line on the sign reads like a poem, “Oh! Mama Sage. It seems endless, the sage: the rolling sage-covered Wyoming hills.” And continues to...