By Scout Nelson
South Dakota State University (SDSU) invites the public to attend a seminar celebrating the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. The event takes place on April 17 at McCrory Gardens in Brookings. It is organized by the Department of Natural Resource Management and is open to everyone.
The seminar is part of the annual Ag Week celebration and focuses on the importance of healthy rangelands. These lands play a key role in supporting livestock production, wildlife, soil health, and rural communities.
“The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists is a chance to recognize that rangelands are not empty or unused spaces but working landscapes that support livestock production, wildlife, healthy soils and rural communities,” said Sean Di Stefano, assistant professor of rangeland ecology and management. “In South Dakota and across the Northern Great Plains, these lands are part of everyday life, which can make their importance easy to overlook.”
The event begins with a coffee hour at 9 a.m., followed by a welcome address from SDSU President Barry Dunn. Faculty members and graduate students will give presentations on different topics related to rangelands. A lunch session is arranged for registered participants, and optional afternoon tours and meetings with faculty are also available.
Di Stefano shares that the seminar aims to help people understand how rangeland systems work and why they are important. These lands help support agriculture while also protecting wildlife habitats, soil, and water resources.
“Rangelands are central to South Dakota,” she said. “Much of the state is grassland, supporting a strong livestock industry while also providing critical wildlife habitat, protecting soil and helping regulate water. How these lands are managed has direct impacts on both the environment and the state’s economy.”
Participants can register for the event by emailing Catherine Luze at catherine.luze@sdstate.edu. The seminar offers a great opportunity to learn about sustainable land management and the value of rangelands in daily life.
More details about SDSU’s celebration of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists can be found in a January feature story.
Photo Credit: south-dakota-state-university
Categories: South Dakota, General