Visitors observe a bird banding demonstration as part of the Central Wisconsin Prairie Chicken Festival at the Mead Wildlife Area. - USFWS photo Gary Van Vreede

Grasslands once covered extensive areas of Wisconsin but due to agricultural and development pressures only a small fraction of these grassland areas remain.  With the reduction in grassland came a decline in the population of many migratory and non-migratory bird species which rely on that type of habitat.  In an effort to restore and create habitat for grassland species in six central Wisconsin counties, a group of agriculture and conservation organizations, and private landowners formed the Central Wisconsin Grassland Conservation Area (CWGCA) Partnership in 2005. 

To help raise awareness and support for grassland conservation initiatives, the CWGCA Partnership held a Prairie Chicken Festival on April 22.  The greater prairie chicken is a rare grassland bird that is found in the CWGCA.   Individuals from over 20 different agencies and organizations assisted with the planning and implementation of the Festival.  The event was held at three different central Wisconsin locations, with a variety of activities occurring at each venue. 

At the Buena Vista Wildlife Area participants had the opportunity to view prairie chickens perform their early-morning courtship dances on their mating grounds, or leks.  At the Mead Wildlife Area activities included bird banding demonstrations, and guided tours of grasslands, wetlands, and managed grazing operations.  U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Private Lands Biologists Shawn Papon from Madison, Bill Peterson from Necedah, and Gary Van Vreede from Green Bay assisted with various activities throughout the day.