They recommended that a true restoration effort, beyond any other attempted on Western rangelands, must begin soon, before the ecological point of no return is reached. But the cost of doing nothing, the teams warned, ultimately would be much higher, as the character of the Great Basin could change permanently. Restoration will not return the Great Basin to pristine conditions. Too much has already changed for that to occur. But it can protect healthy rangelands, reclaim crucial areas with high potential for recovery, and restore some shrublands.
Restoration is a beginning, the point where the ecological decline can be turned around.
Since the teams met, the Great Basin Restoration Initiative has begun, starting with the efforts of an implementation team. Funding for restoration remains a question mark as no permanent account exists for it, meaning that, for now, money must be allocated on an annual, piecemeal basis. BLM is leading an ambitious effort to restore ecological health to the Great Basin. Photo by Kari K. Brown. This approach restricts the effectiveness of restoration by not allowing long-term planning and research, both of which are critical to the effort's success.