By Scout Nelson
South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension, with the help of federal, state, and non-governmental partners, is launching an educational video series focused on water resources. The new series is designed to help people better understand the key issues affecting water in South Dakota and surrounding regions.
The videos will explore a variety of important topics. These include aquatic ecology and the health of aquatic ecosystems, which play a major role in maintaining biodiversity and supporting clean water. Viewers will learn about water quality in lakes, rivers, streams, and underground sources like groundwater.
Another focus of the series will be conservation and restoration efforts. These topics will cover riparian areas, stream and lake restoration, and the importance of protecting glaciated wetlands. Wetland restoration is critical to improving habitat and maintaining clean water.
The video series will also highlight current research being conducted by universities, including SDSU, on natural resources and water systems. Best Management Practices (BMPs) will be discussed, along with ways to reduce point and nonpoint source pollution, which harms water quality.
Urban and rural viewers alike will benefit from information on urban stormwater management, which helps reduce flooding and pollution. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) will also be discussed due to their increasing impact on water health.
The series will include low-tech, process-based restoration methods that are effective and budget-friendly. It will also introduce viewers to watershed monitoring, assessment, and management techniques that are key to protecting water for future generations.
By making science easy to understand and showing real-world applications, SDSU Extension’s video series will offer a valuable learning tool for students, landowners, and community members across the region.
Photo Credit: istock-blackjack3d
Categories: South Dakota, Business