The center of the North American continent, on the eastern edge of the Great Plains, was once a vast sea of grasses where a rich diversity of animals evolved, including its signature species: the greater prairie chicken. Celebrated by native cultures for their unique mating dance and role in waking up the earth each spring, the birds were nearly decimated during the 19th century due to over-hunting. Prairie chickens are now recognized by scientists for their importance within the complex ecological community as an “umbrella species,” however a range of human factors threaten their existence and the bird’s fate lies solely within our hands. What secret keys do the grasses and a symbolic bird hold to the fate of the ecosystem? The documentary BATTLE ON THE BOOMING GROUNDS examines this question and documents the history, behaviors and the natural habitat (the tallgrass prairie) of the chickens. Cameras capture the greater prairie chickens engaged in their famous mating rituals, where males dance, preen and fight in order to establish their breeding rights. Interviewees discuss this unique show and describe how the haunting three-tone booming calls of the males can be heard for miles across the prairie.