Family-Outdoors

South Dakota youth will have numerous opportunities for hands-on experience with outdoors and conservation projects thanks in part to grants from the Tony and Dar Dean Outdoor Education Fund. Four projects will receive financial support from the fund this year. The fund was established following the 2008 death of well-known outdoor broadcaster and writer Tony Dean of Pierre. The program honors both Tony and his wife Dar Dean. She is an outdoor enthusiast with a strong commitment to getting youth involved in outdoor and conservation activities. The four programs which will receive grants this year are: · The South Dakota Wildlife Federation Youth Conservation Camp Wilderness Day on the Prairie has been awarded a $1,300 grant. The Youth Conservation Camp allows youth to experience many aspects of the outdoors. The Wilderness Day on the Prairie portion of the camp will be held at French Creek Campground in the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands near Hermosa. Participants will lear...

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department is offering citizens the opportunity to review a five-year draft management plan for river otters. The South Dakota River Otter Management Plan  is a draft plan on how the state proposes to manage this unique species associated with South Dakota’s riparian habitats. The draft is now open for review during a 30-day public comment period. “As a state threatened species, this plan identifies specific objectives and strategies with the intent of recovering the state’s population of river otters,” said senior wildlife biologist Eileen Dowd-Stukel. “Further research, inventory, and surveys will help identify the direction of future management activities.” The draft management plan can be found on the GFP website at:http://gfp.sd.gov/wildlife/ management/diversity/river- otter.aspx There is also the opportunity to provide feedback on the plan through that link. ...

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks is continuing its planning effort to address the needs of all fish and wildlife species that spend all or part of their lives in the state. The effort, called the South Dakota Wildlife Action Plan, was approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2006. The document provides a voluntary planning framework to encourage partnerships because no single agency or group can solely fulfill the needs of wildlife and natural areas. GFP is now revising the Wildlife Action Plan. The agency’s website will serve as the primary tool for sharing information and soliciting feedback. The revision will continue the original plan’s focus on providing diverse habitats as the basis for accommodating fish and wildlife. The revision emphasizes integrated and user-friendly final products with the potential to be of interest to many users. As part of the revision process and with assistance f...

Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park, Black Hills, South Dakota, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) PIERRE, S.D. – Educational and recreational programming in South Dakota’s state parks is increasing as the summer season begins. On June 9, several parks will offer programs allowing visitors to join guided hikes, fish, or just enjoy a day of family fun. Among those activities: Look what I hooked, Chief White Crane Recreation Area near Yankton, 10 a.m. CDT. Designed especially for younger visitors, enjoy games and crafts while learning basics about fish and fishing. Info: 605-668-2985 Talking in the trees, Richmond Lake Recreation Area near Aberdeen, 10 a.m. CDT. Join a short hike along the Richmond Lake hiking trail. Learn about what trees add to our environment, view different types of trees, and take part in a tree craft.   Info: 605-626-3488 For the birds, Roy Lake State Park near Lake City, 10 a.m. CDT.   Learn about common birds to the area and how t...

Location map of South Dakota, USA (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) PIERRE, S.D. – Unseasonably warm weather has people in the camping mood a little early this year in South Dakota. And with 80 degree days in March, campers have already been spending their weekends in the parks. Campgrounds in southeastern South Dakota are seeing large increases in the number of campers compared to previous years. “In 11 years at the park, I have never seen a busier March,” said Shane Bertsch, park supervisor at Lewis and Clark Recreation Area in Yankton. “We usually get a couple of campers in early spring, but we had over 50 campsites filled last weekend. That’s unheard of.” Nice weather is allowing state parks to open comfort stations and dump stations earlier this year. Many have already opened, drawing in more campers. According to Bertsch, comfort stations usually don’t open until the first or second week in April at Lewis & Clark Recreation Area, and not until May at other parks. Ca...

Image via Wikipedia PIERRE, S.D. – Despite last year’s Missouri River flood that closed campsites and damaged facilities, the camping season outlook is promising for two Pierre-area state parks . State Park officials expect both Farm Island and Oahe Downstream Recreation Areas to have many campsites and the majority of facilities available for Open House and Memorial Day weekends in May. Most campsites and facilities should be open by mid-June, but total restoration from the flood will continue throughout the year. “We’re making progress in terms of recovering from the flood,” said State Parks and Recreation Director Doug Hofer. “The mild winter has benefited us greatly, and crews are working hard to get the parks up and running as soon as possible. After last summer with little camping opportunities in the Pierre area, we know lots of folks are anxious to get out and enjoy the outdoors.” Hofer released the timeline now for Farm Island and Oahe Downstream Recreation Areas b...