The New Mexico Nature Conservancy announced that the spring census of Lesser Prairie Chickens at its Milnesand Prairie Preserve showed 315 chickens. This is a distinct increase from the 183 chicks counted in spring of 2025. This is one of the better prairie chicken censuses ever seen in the Southwest, and good nesting conditions indicate that the next census will be good as well.
By: Shane Woolbright, leader of the April 2026 field trip to TNC’s Milnesand Prairie Preserve