Conservation

All Conservation Content

Participants inspecting a rangeland area during the South Dakota Rangeland Days event.

38th Annual Rangeland and 17th Annual Soils Days Set for June 14 and 15 in Murdo

March 28, 2022

Rangeland and Soils Days offer a unique opportunity for youth and adults alike to learn more about South Dakota’s natural resources.

Image of 2-digit HUC boundaries in continental United States. For a complete description of this graphic, please call SDSU Extension at 605-688-4792.

What is a Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC)?

HUC is the acronym for Hydrologic Unit Code. It is a hierarchical land area classification system that is based on surface hydrologic features in a standard, uniform geographical framework.

Smooth bromegrass growing in an open grassland.

Introduced Grasses and Forbs

While native grasslands contribute greatly to the integrity of the overall grassland community in South Dakota, the use of introduced grasses has proven a popular alternative for some producers.

Two men walking near a drainage water recycling pond

Online Eastern South Dakota Water Conference set for Oct. 20

December 29, 2021

The theme for this year’s conference is “Ground Truth – Water Resource Management and Remote Sensing.”

A group of white tail deer in a snowy clearing.

Give the Gift of Conservation This Christmas

The SDSU Natural Resources Management Department and SDSU Extension would like to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and remind everyone that if you are shopping for a late holiday gift, consider giving the gift of conservation to yourself or someone else.

a prescribed burning taking place in a field

Fall Fire Safety

The moisture and cooler temperatures of fall make it easy to become lax about fire danger, however, conditions can still lead to easy ignition and rapid growth of wildfires.

Wildlife and the Bottom Line

As the fall harvest wraps up and this year’s calf crop is weaned, many producers may be nervous about what their paychecks will look like for 2016. In tough market conditions, it can be tempting to try to squeeze just a bit more production out of the land.

Haying With Wildlife in Mind

Anyone who has spent time cutting hay knows that hayland can be a magnet for wildlife in late spring and early summer. Hay fields are often considered an “ecological trap” for wildlife; that is, they appear to be high quality habitat for nesting or feeding due to tall, dense grass and legumes, but often lead to increased mortality once harvesting is under way.

Water Use by Plant Stage

Over the growing season, solar radiation, air temperature and plant size are the dominant factors in determining evaporative demand and the rate of water use by wheat. Water use can vary dramatically on a day-to day basis, depending on climate and wheat health.

Color-coded map of the James River Watershed CREP program contacts featuring Pheasants Forever Habitat advisors for a number of South Dakota counties. For assistance in locating a contact, call SDSU Extension at 605-688-6729.

The South Dakota Habitat Stamp

In 2020, the South Dakota Legislature approved the South Dakota Habitat Stamp as a way to generate revenue for the development of wildlife habitat on public land and waters, or to provide public access to private land.