About the Book

A new book by award-winning photographer, Noppadol Paothong, and noted outdoor writer, Joel M. Vance, strives to rescue grassland grouse from the brink of extinction by showing the world what it stands to lose if these species are allowed to disappear forever.

This 204-page hardbound book, Save the Last Dance – A Story of North American Grassland Grouse, captures the dazzling beauty of seven grouse species whose populations are diminishing across the prairies and plains of America – and one species that has already lost its battle for survival.

Fortunately, many conservation groups have championed the cause of grassland grouse.

But will it be too little, too late?

The birds can be saved if enough people care.  The book fosters knowledge and understanding of these spectacular birds and their diminishing habitats so future generations, too, can marvel at their grace and beauty.

The book covers the following species: Heath Hen, Greater Prairie-Chicken, Lesser Prairie-Chicken, Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken, Greater Sage-Grouse, Gunnison Sage-Grouse, and Sharp-tailed Grouse, along with conservation efforts to save these species.

Photography, Preface and Field Notes by Noppadol Paothong

Noppadol Paothong is an award-winning nature/conservation photographer. His focus has been on rare and endangered species, and for the past 11 years he has worked primarily on grassland grouse and their fragile habitat. He is a staff wildlife photographer with the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Story by Joel M. Vance

Joel Vance worked for 22 years as an award-winning news and magazine writer for the Missouri Department of Conservation. He has published eight print books and two e-books. He has been awarded all three of the top honors bestowed by the Outdoor Writers Association of America — one of only three members in the history of the organization to be so honored.

Foreword by Paul A. Johnsgard

Paul Johnsgard is a renowned ornithologist, artist and emeritus professor at the University of Nebraska. His works include nearly fifty books including several monographs, principally about the waterfowl and cranes. He is considered one of the most prolific authors of ornithology books.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1, Like Smoke into Wind: The Heath Hen

Chapter 2, Prairie Gold: The Greater Prairie-Chicken

Chapter 3, Vanishing Citizens of the Plains: The Lesser Prairie-Chicken

Chapter 4, The Brink of Extinction: The Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken

Chapter 5, A Sense of Wonder: The Greater Sage-Grouse

Chapter 6, Bird of Grace and Spirit: The Gunnison Sage-Grouse

Chapter 7, Children of the Sagebrush Steppe: The Sharp-tailed Grouse

Chapter 8, Saving the Last Dance: Conservation Efforts

Preface, Noppadol Paothong

“I hope this book will be a window for people to glimpse the life and beauty of these extraordinary species – the birds that I have come to care so much about during the past 10 years of photographing them.

Through this journey, I’ve grown to appreciate even a breeze on a prairie. I believe and hope. If a person like me – who grew up in a city on a continent 10,000 miles away – can fall in love with these birds, any body can. If only they get to know them.”