The lesser prairie-chicken is commonly recognized for its feathered feet, stout build and mating behavior. Males engage in posturing and perform vocalizations, often compared to yodeling, that attract not only the females but also birders from across the country interested in witnessing the species’ unique mating dances.

Sadly, drought, livestock grazing and conversion of native grasslands have dramatically diminished the population size and geographic range of the lesser prairie-chicken, leaving southeast New Mexico as one of the bird’s last remaining refuges. This threatened species is at risk of extinction if significant conservation actions aren’t taken to reduce threats to its survival.

Striking a Balance

When you think of conservation partnerships, the Department of Defense might not be top of mind. But for the past decade, The Conservation Fund has worked closely with the agency as it sought to expand secure buffer lands around military installations to enhance military readiness and reduce stress on neighboring communities. Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico is a prime example of our collaboration. Together, we are working to protect approximately 30,000 acres that contain extensive habitat for species such as the lesser prairie-chicken.

Protecting a Prairie-Chicken Stronghold

Following an extensive public planning process, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) about 35 miles east of Roswell, New Mexico, to provide much-needed habitat for the lesser prairie-chicken. To conserve this high-value habitat, the BLM requested The Conservation Fund’s assistance in acquiring key lands in and around the ACEC.

In 2010, we purchased 7,440 acres of land within the ACEC and subsequently transferred it to the BLM. The project received funding from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and was strongly supported by New Mexico Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall.

In 2012, with support from Concho Resources, we purchased 2,500 acres in eastern Chaves County known as Sand Ranch. Using funds from the LWCF, the BLM then purchased nearly 1,800 acres of the Sand Ranch property. By leveraging private funds from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, we also purchased 42,000 acres of federal and state grazing permits and leases around Sand Ranch, most of which will be voluntarily retired to help conserve habitat value on the public lands.

Why This Project Matters

These conserved lands are recognized as a critical stronghold for the lesser prairie-chicken and provide one of the most accessible places in the state to view the prairie-chicken in its native habitat. These lands also contain habitat for some of the largest known populations of sand dune lizards. With these projects, we’ve conserved most of the land within the BLM’s nearly 58,000-acre ACEC to help wildlife thrive.

Learn More

• Podcast: “Protecting the Prairie Chicken” with guest Mike Ford, former Nevada and Southwest Director at The Conservation Fund