05 December 2025
#341 | The Prairie Partnership: Ranchers, Wildlife, and the Grasslands We Stand to Lose
Birdshot Podcast
About
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
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