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Conservation

All Conservation Content

Producers surveying a rangeland site.

Natural Resources & Conservation

South Dakota is home to many unique land, water and wildlife resources. Our experts and partners offer research-based information through to help people enjoy, preserve and profit from these natural resources.

Cattle grazing a high-diversity, native pasture.

Connecting Nutrition and Conservation: The Importance of CPS 592

Conservation Practice Standard (CPS) 592 is a practical feed management framework that helps producers move toward greater profitability, accountability, and sustainability without sacrificing performance.

Herd of bison behind a fencline in a pasture.

Getting Started With Bison Ranching

While bison ranching has some similarities with cattle ranching, there are significant differences that must be accounted for to ensure long-term sustainability and profitability.

A man in a yellow shirt kneels in a pasture with a group of youth and teenagers standing in a circle around him

A Guide to South Dakota's Rangeland and Soil Days

Fact sheet to provide an overview of the South Dakota Rangeland and Soil Days program. This also includes detailed guidelines and contest information.

Collection of hands-on learning materials arranged on a table.

Aquatic Invasive Species Education and Outreach in South Dakota

A variety of public resources are being devoted to aquatic invasive species outreach to increase our understanding of the potential harm they can cause. These resources aim to improve our understanding of the potential vectors and pathways by which people can spread them.

Construction Aggregate Mining Map in South Dakota

Water For All

These videos are meant to raise awareness among South Dakota citizens about the kinds of water information available to them.

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.

Zebra mussels on a rock along a shoreline.

Has a New Pathway for Increased Mercury in Fish Been Found?

There is growing evidence that zebra mussels may be affecting the level of mercury in fish tissue by altering contaminant cycling in inland lakes. While the mechanism of this increase needs to be further studied, it likely means that fish consumption advisories will increase for those lakes invaded by zebra mussels.

An aerial view of the town of Mobridge with the Missouri River in the background.

A Strategic Community-Based Survey of Water Resource Management in South Dakota

Understanding how residents value water is critical for effective resource management, and your insights can help us better understand community values and inform future strategies for sustainable water management across the state.

Aerial view of South Dakota wetlands.

Prairie Pothole Wetlands: Small Basins, Big Impact

The benefits of prairie wetlands extend far beyond wildlife. These wetlands filter pollutants and excess nutrients from agricultural and urban runoff, trap sediment, recharge groundwater, and store floodwater.