Most of the grasslands in the Great Plains exist as rangelands – managed and stewarded by private landowners. Yet rising costs and the fact that ranching earns less than any other land use have cut rancher numbers in half since the 1980s. As we lose these ranchers, we lose the valuable grassland ecosystems that support their livelihoods, rural communities, water and wildlife. The Lesser Prairie-Chicken – an iconic grassland bird famous for its spring dances – has lost 97% of its population since the 1800s. With 95% of remaining birds living on private lands, their future depends on the success of ranchers. The Lesser Prairie Chicken Landowner Alliance (LPCLA) is finding innovative ways for ranchers to sustain their livelihoods while restoring health to the land. When ranchers can keep their operations viable, the grasslands and wildlife that depend on them also thrive. To learn more about this work, visit grousepartners.org/lpcla