Partnering for Lesser Prairie Chicken Habitat Improvement

Lubbock, Texas, April 15, 2009 - The Lesser Prairie Chicken (LPC) has been a treasured icon in the High Plains and South Plains for centuries. Their beauty and distinctive mating rituals provide some of the best wildlife viewing in our nation, prompting communities, farmers, ranchers and bed and breakfasts, to offer tours and photo opportunities of this native bird. However, due to decreased habitat, this highly social, unique bird is now facing a rapid decline in population.

LPC landowner meetings are being held by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), USDA-Resource Conservation and Development Councils (RC&D), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and others interested in hearing landowners express their needs and concerns for LPC habitat management.

Meetings are scheduled at 8:30 a.m. in the following locations:

• May 5- Canadian, TX- River Valley Pioneer Museum
• May 6- McLean, TX- Trinity Fellowship Church
• May 12- Hereford, TX- Hereford Community Center
• May 13- Morton, TX- USDA Service Center
• May 14- Seminole, TX- Ambassador Room

The LPC landowner meetings will offer discussions for managing LPC habitat needs and improvements, future management goals, technical assistance and financial incentives through the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) program. Registration is free and the meeting also includes a complimentary lunch.

The SAFE program, administered by the USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA), is designed to create 20,000 acres of native mixed grasslands as a habitat for the LPC. The goal is to create a larger habitat than the LPC has previously occupied.

For more information and registration contact one of the following Resource Conservation and Development Councils: WES-TEX RC&D (806) 266-5067, High Plains RC&D (806) 250-2020 or North Rolling Plains RC&D (806) 669-0312. For meal planning purposes, please register at least one week prior to the meeting.

For additional information - Lesser Prairie Chicken Landowner Meetings 2009

Contact

Stan Bradbury

Quenna Terry

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