ILLINOISDEPARTMENTOF NATURAL RESOURCES

J.B. Pritzker,
Governor|illinois.gov

Greater Prairie-chicken in Illinois

by Kathy Andrews Wright |  February 23, 2021 |  Wildlife
Two mottled brown and white medium size birds stand in a grassy area. The bird on the left bends towards the other birds, and begins its mating display.

Photo by Leroy Harrison.

Film Date:

January 7, 2021

Speaker:

Bob Gillespie from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Produced by:

Laura Kammin

Kathy Andrews Wright

Edited by:

Sarah Marjanovic

Questions received in advance of the conversation are listed below, with the time noted should you desire to fast-forward to a topic of interest.

Bob Gillespie, Grassland Ecologist and Site Manager of Prairie Ridge State Natural Area

00:42 Brief history of the greater prairie-chicken in Illinois.

02:30 What does it means for a species to be designated an endangered species?

04:04 Species Recovery Plan for the greater prairie-chicken.

06:15 Research projects that have taken place and what has been learned about the greater prairie-chicken in Illinois.

09:19 Management actions at Prairie Ridge State Natural Area for the greater prairie-chicken.

12:21 Perspective of working at the natural area and experiencing prairie-chickens year-round.

13:58 Tips for visiting Prairie Ridge State Natural Area to view greater prairie-chickens.

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For more information on Illinois wildlife:

  • wildlifeillinois.org
  • outdoor.wildlifeillinois.org
  • deer.wildlifeillinois.org
  • huntillinois.org

If you are interested in viewing the text alternative for the video click the CC option at the lower margin of the video.

Kathy Andrews Wright retired from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources where she was editor of OutdoorIllinois magazine. She is currently the editor of OutdoorIllinois Journal.

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