1. United States
2. Kan.
3. Letter

The lesser prairie chicken, a grouse species known for its colorful spring mating dance, is facing an existential crisis. Experts estimate only around 26,591 remain in the U.S., with 75% found in Kansas. The population decline stems from habitat loss, with 90% of the native prairie grasslands they depend on having vanished due to factors like drought, urbanization, and invasive species. Despite being listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2022, attempts are underway by Kansas politicians to strip away federal protections that could further jeopardize the species. This iconic bird symbolizes the dwindling health of prairie ecosystems that provide vital resources like clean air, water, food and more. Preserving the lesser prairie chicken means safeguarding an entire landscape and way of life. Conservation efforts like paying ranchers to maintain prairie habitats on their lands offer a path forward, but urgent action is needed. I implore you to uphold science-based policies that protect prairie chickens and the grasslands they need to survive before it's too late to save this heritage. The loss of the lesser prairie chicken would be a tragedy for all Kansans and Americans who value our natural heritage.