Greater prairie-chicken management

Updated Management Plan

The DNR began the process of updating the 10-year greater prairie-chicken management plan in 2020. The plan revision was developed in cooperation with the Greater Prairie-chicken Advisory Committee. The first draft of the plan was open for public comment in January 2022. The Natural Resources Board approved the Wisconsin Greater Prairie-Chicken Management Plan 2022-2032 at the June 22, 2022 meeting.

How You Can Help with Prairie Chicken Management in Wisconsin

First, you can review the current and previous management plans, meeting minutes, and lekking surveys and watch the recorded presentation of the prairie chicken management plan located in the documents section of this webpage.
You can also attend our prairie chicken committee meetings; they are open to the public. Future meeting details can be found on our public meetings calendar once they become available.
Consider becoming active in the Adopt-a-Wildlife-Area program:
- Especially focusing on Buena Vista, Leola and Paul J Olson Wildlife Areas as they are the remaining strongholds for current greater prairie-chicken populations in Wisconsin
Buena Vista is currently adopted by the UWSP Chapter of the Wildlife Society
There are a host of other citizen science and volunteer workday programs available through DNR.
If you are a private landowner interested in establishing wildlife habitat on your property, use the Pheasants Forever “Find your farm bill biologist [exit DNR]” tool.
- Farm bill biologists can help you enroll in programs that incentivize your conservation efforts!

Documents

Prairie-chicken survey reports

Prairie-chicken survey reports

2004-2014 Wisconsin Greater Prairie-chicken Management Plan [PDF]

Prairie Chicken Advisory Committee

Prairie Chicken Advisory Committee

The Prairie Chicken Advisory Committee, a diverse group representing government agencies, non-governmental organizations, tribal interests and conservation groups, meets to discuss issues relating to greater prairie-chicken management in Wisconsin.

The Prairie Chicken Advisory Committee reviews and makes recommendations on the management of the Greater Prairie Chicken in Wisconsin. The committee advises the Wildlife Leadership Team on a variety of topics such as surveys, research priorities and management plan development.

The public is welcome to listen in to the March Advisory Committee Meeting through Zoom.

Committee meeting information

Greater Prairie-Chicken Management Plan