November Program Meeting

Recovery of grassland birds in the Great Plains through restoration of native keystone species, by Henry S. Pollock

 Grassland birds are the most rapidly declining group of birds across North America, with population declines of >50% since 1970. One of the main drivers of grassland bird declines has been the widespread loss of native keystone species of the Great Plains, such the American bison, American beaver, and black-tailed prairie dog. In this talk, Dr. Henry Pollock will present a sweeping ecological history of the Great Plains, tracing the declines of the Great Plains keystones since 1800 and their implications for grassland bird conservation. He will also discuss his current role as Executive Director of the Southern Plains Land Trust (SPLT), whose mission is to create and rewild a network of shortgrass prairie preserves across the Southern Great Plains, and SPLT’s current efforts to help recover grassland bird populations in Southeast Colorado.

Henry has a background in ecology and conservation with a strong focus on quantitative, data-driven science and practice. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Ecology, Evolution, & Conservation Biology and 15+ years’ experience as a wildlife biologist and academic researcher. He is dedicated to gaining ground for prairie wildlife and continuing to expand SPLT’s reach throughout the Southern Plains to bring back the American Serengeti.

NOTE: Our programs this year will be in the Cargill Learning Center at the Sedgwick County Zoo. We will also have dinner with our speaker before the program at Jason’s Deli, 7447 W 21st St N, at 5:30 pm.