Kansas Ornithological Association, Audubon chapters petition bird for Threatened List
PRATT — Because the Kansas Ornithological Society and six local Audubon chapters have petitioned the state to list the lesser prairie chicken as "threatened" on the Kansas Threatened and Endangered Species List, status of the bird is currently under review by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). As required by Kansas statute, KDWP will provide informational meetings regarding the lesser prairie chicken's status and conduct a review.

The lesser prairie chicken is a High Plains, shortgrass upland bird that inhabits the southwestern and westcentral portions of Kansas. It is closely related to the greater prairie chicken and is in the grouse family.

Four informational meetings will be held in late April and early May. Notice of the meetings has been published in the Kansas Register. KDWP's Threatened and Endangered Task Committee will make a recommendation to KDWP Secretary Mike Hayden, possibly as early as June. The public is invited to attend these meetings and provide input.

For more information, phone Edwin J. Miller, Threatened and Endangered Program coordinator, at 620-331-6820. The following is a list of meeting dates, locations, and times:

• Garden City — April 27 at 7 p.m., Lee Richardson Zoo Finnup Center for Conservation Education, 312 Finnup Drive;
• Meade — April 28 at 1 p.m., Meade County 4-H Building, 707 W. Washington;
• Wichita — April 29 at 7 p.m., Great Plains Nature Center Auditorium, 6232 E. 29th St. North;
• Topeka — May 3 at 7 p.m., KDWP Region 2 Office, 300 SW Wanamaker Road.

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