How to help, view grouse

Founded in 1961, the Society of Tympanuchus Cupido Pinnatus Ltd. is the oldest organization dedicated to conserving and restoring native prairie grouse populations. The group raised funds to purchase more than 7,000 acres of grasslands for wildlife in Wisconsin, land now managed by the Department of Natural Resources and open to the public. Originally focused on saving the prairie chicken in Wisconsin, STCP expanded its scope to address concerns of prairie grouse populations across North America. The nonprofit group is led by president Peter D. Ziegler of Slinger and executive director Greg Septon of Franklin. For more information, visit

prairiegrouse.org.

Prairie chickens have taken center stage each April since 2006 at the Central Wisconsin Prairie Chicken Festival. The event strives to increase awareness of the threatened population of prairie chickens in Wisconsin by providing educational experiences for children and adults. The festival includes events in and around Stevens Point, typically including a free museum admission, music, poetry, arts, crafts and food. For more information, visit

Festival:

prairiechickenfestival.org.

UW-Stevens Point maintains viewing blinds at leks in central Wisconsin and coordinates reservations for the public. The cost for viewing the prairie chickens is $15 for adults and $10 for kids under 18, students enrolled in college, or seniors over 55. Viewing is typically reserved for April. To learn more, call Peggy Farrell at UWSP at (715) 346-4681 or visit

Viewing opportunities:

uwsp.edu/wildlife/pchicken/Pages/Viewing.aspx.

Paul A. Smith