Landowners Information about the Lesser Prairie-Chichen Project
Duration
July 2017 - December 2021
Narrative
The Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands of southwestern Kansas and southeastern Colorado were strongholds for lesser prairie-chickens up until fairly recently. In 2013, however, severe weather struck and populations in the area crashed. The lesser prairie-chicken populations on the National Grasslands have not recovered since.
How can you help?
As there are few lesser prairie-chickens left close enough to the National Grasslands to recolonize the area, a multi-agency collaboration between Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and Kansas State University has brought lesser prairie-chickens from northwestern Kansas to the National Grasslands. Since 2016, 250 lesser prairie-chickens have been released on the National Grasslands. Many have nested successfully and, should populations continue to grow, the lesser prairie-chickens released on the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands may help to rebuild a healthy population in the unique Sand Sagebrush Prairie. We are currently looking for landowners in northwestern Kansas to allow us to trap lesser prairie-chickens on their land. Our trapping methods are non-invasive, and our take limits are set to minimize impact on the local populations.
If you would be interested in assisting the project, please contact
Liam Berigan
berigan@ksu.edu
(703-888-8284)
or
Carly Aulicky
caulicky@ksu.edu
(908-894-9787).
Land Owner Appreciation
The Cooperative Research Unit’s work is not possible without the support of tremendous landowners. Two landowners involved in Kansas State University lesser prairie-chicken research have received awards for their land management practices.
Hashknife Ranch was a co-recipient of the 2018 CMPS Citizen’s Conservation Achievement Award
http://wildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2018-CMPS-Winter-Newsletter-1.pdf
http://wildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Central-Mountains-and-Plains-Section-Summer-2018-newsletter.pdf
Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch Received the Kansas Leopold Conservation Award.
https://sandcountyfoundation.org/news/2018/hoeme-family-farm-and-ranch-receives-kansas-leopold-conservation-award
