This is the short version of our film for PBS. We are now within 6 months of being able to complete this effort.
Our film will raise awareness of this iconic American species -powerful symbol of the Tallgrass prairie - which is itself an essentially American landform feature.
Prairies and Prairie chickens are quite interdependent upon each other. One without the other, leaves a missing gap. The definition of a mutualistic symbiotic relationship is the two partners function to benefit each other.
While Greater Prairie Chickens are not totally obligate to the prairies , there is no question that if there is a balance of about 70% native grasslands to 30% agricultural lands then prairie chickens should be thriving in the area.
The "IF" comes in when there is just not enough land to sustain a population. Our understanding of this is based upon Dr. John Toepfer's ground breaking work in Minnesota.
If no one does anything to reverse the trend lines, this species will go extinct. The Good News is that at this moment we may have nearly a Million birds to work with. Unlike so many other desperate situations, we have time, numbers, great people working on these birds and there is an interest in expanding native grasslands again.
Sit back, relax and enjoy this beautiful bird in its natural environment. Then help us get this film finished, please.
