Natural Resources

All Natural Resources Content

an image of outdoor weather monitoring equipment in a field

Climate and Weather

View resources to predict, prepare and recover from weather-related events year-round, including the latest drought and flood information.

A small herd of cattle grazing in a snow storm.
Jan 22

Winter Water Systems Cattle HQ Live

Join SDSU Extension's beef team to gain valuable insights to improve the health, productivity and profitability of your herd. This month, we will highlight options for delivering water in a cost-effective manner for both grazed and confined cattle.

Team of natural resource management researchers and professionals standing in a stream.

Finding Technical and Financial Assistance for Fish Barrier Removal and Mitigation

Manmade barriers can limit the movement of many aquatic species and prevent them from gaining access to critical habitats. For public entities and private individuals interested in the removal or mitigation of those barriers, both technical and financial assistance is available.

Gloved hands examining a musk thistle seedhead.

Now is the Time to Plan for Noxious Weed Control in 2026

Most of South Dakota experienced first frosts that were delayed by at least one month, allowing for noxious weed growth to continue later in the season. Now is the time to plan for noxious weed management tactics.

a brown bird eating seed from a dried sunflower head.

Native Plants for Bird Habitat in South Dakota

South Dakota has a range of habitats that support many bird species, and native plants play an important role in all those habitats.

Cattle grazing in a rangeland area. Three magnifying images show close-up photos of native pollinators visiting forbs growing in the same area.

Rangeland Wildflowers: Their Value to Livestock and Pollinators

Native wildflowers and shrubs are critical to providing a wide array of services that increase the resiliency of rangelands, provide pollinator habitat, and contribute to livestock nutrition.

Swarm of mosquitoes.

West Nile Virus Update: October 16, 2025

As of October 16, 2025, the South Dakota Department of Health reported 86 human cases of West Nile virus from Aurora, Beadle, Bon Homme, Brookings, Brown, Charles Mix, Clay, Codington, Corson, Douglas, Grant, Gregory, Haakon, Hamlin, Hand, Hughes, Hutchison, Hyde, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marshall, Meade, Miner, Minnehaha, Pennington, Roberts, Sanborn, Spink, Stanley, Todd, Union, Walworth, and Yankton counties.

Professional portrait of Ryan Lefers

SDSU Extension welcomes new water specialist

October 29, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Ryan Lefers as the new Griffith Endowed Chair in Agriculture and Water Resources, South Dakota Water Resources Institute Director and SDSU Extension Water Management Specialist.

Small group of cattle grazing fall pasture.

Fall Pasture Report: Considerations for Dormant Season Grazing

Recent fall rains across the region continue to improve soil moisture conditions in preparation for the dormant season. Unlike in years past, a fall green up has been in full swing for much of the region.

Swarm of mosquitoes.

West Nile Virus Update: September 26, 2025

As of September 26, 2025, the South Dakota Department of Health (SD DOH) reported 74 human cases of West Nile Virus from Aurora, Beadle, Bon Homme, Brookings, Brown, Charles Mix, Clay, Codington, Corson, Douglas, Grant, Gregory, Haakon, Hamlin, Hand, Hughes, Hutchison, Hyde, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marshall, Meade, Miner, Minnehaha, Pennington, Roberts, Sanborn, Spink, Stanley, Union, Walworth, and Yankton counties.