Partners on the Prairie

South Dakota State University has a strong commitment to supporting the grasslands through research, outreach, and education. SDSU President Dr. Barry Dunn and Pete Bauman, SDSU Extension Range Field Specialist share how SDSU is making a difference through hands-on research, educational programs, and leadership that’s helping shape the future of our grasslands.

The American Bird Conservancy is focused on conserving wild birds and their habitats and utilizes strategic partnerships to do that. On this episode, we are joined by Kevin Ellison and Steve Riley, two individuals whose work includes supporting grassland birds and the grasslands.

The Dakota Territory Buffalo Association was founded to help facilitate the relationship between bison producers and their markets.  They  value promoting bison meat and furnishing a positive forum for creativity and camaraderie among a diverse membership. Produers Alex Sleep and Lindsey Hester share how Dakota Territory Buffalo Association supports producers and the industry.

Pheasants Forever is a nationwide organization with a mission to conserve pheasants, quail, and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public access, education, and conservation advocacy.  On this episode, we hear from Pheasant Forever’s South Dakota State Coordinator Matt Gottlob and Senior Farm bill Wildlife Biologist Tom Zinter to talk about the work of Pheasants Forever in South Dakota.

Earth Optics is a soil data and mapping company that provides data on your land.  Ryan Dierking joins our podcast to delve into what is happening in the world of soil data collection, and how producers and partners can use these resources for planning on grassland operations.  To connect with Ryan directly, email [email protected]

The Wildlife Society is a national organization focused on empowering wildlife professionals to advance conservation through science, community and professional excellence.  In South Dakota, a chapter exists to support professionals in our state while also promoting stewardship and appreciation of wildlife.   In this episode, chapter treasurer and secretary, Mandy Pearson is shares about the purpose and accomplishments of the organization.  

The Society for Range Management is an international organzation for professionals and rangeland users who are concerned with studying, conserving, managing and sustaining the various rangelands worldwide.  In South Dakota, the chapter is especially focused on supporting grassland education for youth. In this episode, Jeff Vander Wilt shares about the South Dakota SRM chapter, and their work.

Prairie Pothole Joint Ventures (PPJV) is one of two Joint Ventures that works in South Dakota to support healthy grasslands and bird habitats.  PPJV Coordinator, Lauri Hanauska-Brown shares about the unique ways Prairie Pothole Joint Ventures is working to support community-based conservation.  

SnapLands is a Colorado based ecological accounting and rangeland monitoring company that partners with managers intentionally seeking strategies to maximize long term profit and healthy ecosystems. Ryan White, CEO and founder of Snaplands, shares how landowners and producers can work with a company like SnapLands to improve their recordkeeping, productivity, and profitability of their land.

Based out of South Dakota, Ecdysis is a research 501c3 that works with farmers and ranchers across the United States and Canada to research how stewards of the land can be innovative to produce food and fiber while working with their environments. Jonathan Lundgren, founder and director of Ecdysis shares about their 1,000 Farms Initiative and work at Blue Dasher Farm.  

South Dakota’s Ag Land Trust is a non-profit organization focused on providing South Dakota Farmers and Ranchers with a conservation organization that understands their business. They have a mission of conserving South Dakota’s agricultural heritage and working landscapes for the benefit of future generations through voluntary, incentive-based methods. 

The mission of the South Dakota Grassland Coalition is to improve the stewardship of grasslands through sustainable and profitable management.  Their board is made up of landowners who collaborate with partners to support their mission and were one of the instrumental groups in launching the South Dakota Grasslands Initiative.      On this episode, I'm joined by former board member, Rod Baumberger, current board member Bart Carmichael, and executive director, Judge Jessop to learn about the start of the Grassland Coalition and their continuing work.  

This episode provides an introduction to the Xerces Society, and the work that they are doing to support pollinators. This episode highlights work that Xerces is collaborating with partners on to show how the forbs needed by pollinators are also beneficial to livestock. Rae also shares how listeners can get involved with the Bumble Bee Atlas. Rae Powers is a Pollinator Conservation Specialist and NRCS Partner Biologist with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation in South Dakota and Nebraska. Kaylee Wheeler with SDSU Extension also shares about a project that she and other partners are working with Xerces on.  

The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is a non-profit organization focused on conserving birds and their habitats through science, education, and land stewardship. On this episode Angela Dwyer, Program Manager, and Kristin May, Wildlife Habitat Biologist share how What's Good for the Herd is Good for the Birds

Kateri is one option for grassland producers looking for a company to help them make money with carbon credits for implementing sustainable practices.  James Hunt, project manager with Kateri, give an overview of the process, and why working grasslands are important to the carbon credit market.

Kurt Forman, South Dakota’s Partners for Fish & Wildlife Coordinator shares about this program. The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides technical and financial assistance to landowners, managers, tribes, corporations, schools and nonprofits interested in improving wildlife habitat on their land.

The South Dakota Soil Health Coalition is a producer-led nonprofit, with a staff & board of individuals dedicated to their mission of promoting improved soil heath.  The Coalition director Cindy Zenk, and two board members, Shawn Freeland and Doug Sieck, shared about what the Soil Health Coalition is and some of the resources they provide. 

South Dakota’s Game, Fish & Parks is perhaps one of the more well known entities in the state that is focused on preserving the habitat and species for South Dakota.  On this episode Mark Norton, Hunting Access & Farm Bill Coordinator, and Eric Magedanz, senior private lands habitat biologist, share about what GFP is doing, and what programs they offer for landowners & partners. 

Clayton Lenk is the National Wild Turkey Federation biologist for several states, including South Dakota.  One key focus of the National Wild Turkey Federation is to maintain habitat for wild turkeys, as well as the many other species that depend on conservation.

Catherine Wightman, coordinator for Northern Great Plains Joint Venture, shares about the unique role that she and her team play to support the communities that depend on grasslands in South Dakota, and surrounding areas.

Lori Brown, TNC riparian health program manager, and Joe Blastic, TNC prairie coteau conservation coordinator, share about The Nature Conservancy's focus and work in South Dakota.

Josh Lefers works with Audubon Great Plains which has a mission to protect birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. In South Dakota, much of his work focuses on programs to support grassland bird habitats.

Bruce Toay, who manages the conservation programs in South Dakota, shares about the on the ground work that Ducks Unlimited offers in South Dakota.

Travis Entenman, executive director of Northern Prairies Land Trust, shares how landowners can use Northern Prairies Land Trust's voluntary conservation easements.

Tanse Herrmann, state grazing lands soil health specialist for South Dakota NRCS, shares about what NRCS can offer for partners, and about how their Rainfall Simulator can be used to demonstrate the 5 soil health principles. Tanse Hermann can be contacted directly at [email protected] or (605) 515-9791.

Jamie Risse and Jared Hohn with Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary share how they support goals of Presentation Sisters through restoring native grasslands and providing grassland education.