#341 | The Prairie Partnership: Ranchers, Wildlife, and the Grasslands We Stand to Lose

In this episode of the Birdshot Podcast , Nick Larson welcomes back Ted Koch , for an important conversation on prairie grouse conservation, grassland loss, ranching, and the future of upland habitat across North America. Ted also shares unforgettable elk-hunting stories, ruffed grouse parallels, and urgent insights into habitat fragmentation and the decline of gamebird populations. Ted Koch is a retired endangered species biologist and CEO of the North American Grouse Partnership . With decades of experience in western wildlife conservation, Ted works directly with ranchers, agencies, and conservation partners to protect prairie grouse species, including sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie-chickens, lesser prairie-chickens, and sage-grouse. Expect to Learn Why prairie grouse populations are collapsing across North America How grassland loss and fragmentation impact sharptails, prairie-chickens, and sage-grouse Why ranching is essential to upland bird habitat How public-land and private-land management affect upland hunting access What hunters can do to support prairie conservation and rangeland stewardship Episode Breakdown with Timestamps [00:00:00] - Introduction [00:04:36] - What’s keeping Ted Busy [00:19:20] - Storytelling, memory, and the hunt [00:20:42] - Introduction to the North American Grouse Partnership [00:25:18] - Private-land rangelands and public perception [00:37:05] - How Conservation Practices Create Real Value for Wildlife and Habitat [00:43:37] - Rangelands, Cattle Production and Food Output [00:56:12] - Comparing The Approach with CRP [01:00:50] - National Grasslands Conservation Act and Its Role in Farm Bill Funding [01:04:40] - Learn More about The North American Grouse Partnership and Membership Follow the Guest Ted Website: grousepartners.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrousePartners Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/na_grouse_partnership/?hl=en Saving Ranching to Save Wildlife: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxM6vvEoRgc Follow the Host Nick: Instagram: @birdshot.podcast Website: www.birdshotpodcast.com Listening Links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/17EVUDJPwR2iJggzhLYil7 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/birdshot-podcast/id1288308609 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@birdshot.podcast SUPPORT | http://www.patreon.com/birdshot Use Promo Code | BSP20 to save 20% on https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/app Use Promo Code | BS10 to save 10% on https://trulockchokes.com/ The Birdshot Podcast is Presented By: https://www.onxmaps.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices