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PO Box 2007
Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74005
Phone 918-336-7778
Contact

STCP

Our Projects

In 2015, the Society of Tympanuchus Cupido Pinnatus, Ltd. (STCP) dissolved and donated its proceeds and extensive scientific collection to the Sutton Avian Research Center, marking a major transition in its long history of prairie-chicken conservation. As part of the agreement, longtime STCP researcher Dr. John Toepfer joined the Sutton Center as the first STCP/Hamerstrom Prairie Grouse Research Chair.  Founded in Wisconsin in 1961, STCP focused on protecting the Greater Prairie-Chicken after dramatic habitat loss reduced the species to a small region of Central Wisconsin. Guided by Drs. Frederick and Frances Hamerstrom, STCP purchased more than 7,000 acres of key grasslands and advanced the innovative “ecological patterning” approach to habitat protection. The organization later expanded its mission to support additional threatened species and funded major research, including the landmark Prairie Chickens & Grasslands: 2000 and Beyond project. Its work revealed urgent concerns about habitat fragmentation and declining genetic diversity, leading to translocation efforts and partnerships across multiple states.  Although the organization ultimately dissolved, STCP’s legacy continues through its contributions, research, and the resources it transferred to the Sutton Center.

  • Year-Round Ecology of the Greater Prairie-Chicken in Native Habitat

    STCP believes that instead of always focusing on fixing problems, it's more important to study what works in the best remaining prairie habitats.

    In 2012, STCP started a 3+ year research project in Nebraska’s Sandhills, which is home to one of the healthiest prairie-chicken populations. The goal is to answer the question, “What is normal?” This research could provide valuable insights to help secure a future for prairie-chickens and other prairie grouse.

  • The Sandhills of Nebraska

    In 2012, after decades of conservation work, STCP focused on finding what’s needed to ensure the long-term survival of the prairie-chicken. To do this, they began by understanding what a healthy prairie-chicken population looks like. As early as 1980, researcher Robel pointed out that when populations are stable, there’s less research done, especially in key areas where understanding basic prairie-chicken biology is crucial for effective management. This research is necessary to help make informed decisions about how to protect the species in the future.

  • Our Research Plan

    The question of what a healthy prairie-chicken population looks like still remains unanswered, despite 75 years of research. In 2012, STCP launched a 3+ year study in Nebraska’s Sandhills to better understand the ecology of prairie-chickens in a large, intact grassland habitat. This research will provide important baseline data on survival and reproduction to compare with declining populations elsewhere. The project will also connect with other prairie-chicken research efforts in Minnesota and Texas to share knowledge and findings.

  • Our Objectives

    STCP’s research in Nebraska will track prairie-chickens to study their survival, habitat use, nesting, and movement. By focusing on the healthiest habitats, the study aims to understand what makes for a stable prairie-chicken population. The goal is to answer the question, “What is normal?” and use the findings to help protect prairie-chickens and other prairie grouse in the future.

George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center
PO Box 2007
Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74005
Phone 918-336-7778
Contact
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