Sagebrush covers Wyoming’s rolling hills and is essential to the survival of the world’s largest populations of pronghorn antelope and sage grouse. Blown free of snow by Wyoming winds, it is the major winter food for these species and provides important habitat for many small mammals and birds. The sagebrush deserts of the Great Divide, Green River, Bighorn River, and Wind River basins also support large herds of wild, free-ranging mule deer and horses and more than 150 other wildlife species. The only elk herd in Wyoming associated entirely with a sagebrush desert is found immediately north of this area. Wyoming has 13 species of sagebrush, and its deep taproot allows it to survive where annual precipitation can be as little as six inches. As a hardy shrub and able provider for Wyoming’s wildlife, sagebrush is a vital part of keeping the state’s ranges productive.