ABSTRACT
Abstract. Lesser Prairie-Chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) occur primarily on private lands (~94%) within portions of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The current estimated occupied range of the Lesser PrairieChicken is 80,030 km2, with ~5,000 km2 in public ownership. Alternative management objectives, opportunities, and challenges are dependent on patterns of landownership. Public land management is largely driven by policy and subsequent regulations, whereas private land management is mainly influenced by incentive programs, which are impacted by dynamic changes in governmental policies. Some management actions are currently constrained on public lands because of funding priorities. Other land uses, such as energy development, are taking place range-wide
irrespective of landownership. The Lesser PrairieChicken may be listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, which would likely impact management activities on private and public lands, including managed grazing, prescribed fire, energy development, and recreation. Public lands can contribute to conservation goals, but it is the influence of future policy, regulations, and conservation programs on private lands that will determine the future of Lesser Prairie-Chickens in the Southern Great Plains.
