By Scout Nelson
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in South Dakota has named the South Dakota Section of the Society for Range Management as the winner of the 2025 Excellence in Cooperative Conservation Award.
State Conservationist Tony Sunseri announced the award to recognize the group’s strong partnership with NRCS and its work to protect and restore natural resources.
The Society is made up of private ranchers, educators, retirees, and employees of agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, South Dakota State University, and NRCS.
Outgoing president Krista Ehlert says members share a deep commitment to rangeland stewardship and often serve at regional and national levels to promote adaptive rangeland management practices.
Supporting the next generation of conservation leaders is a key focus. The Society hosts the annual Rangeland and Soils Days each June, drawing hundreds of 4-H and FFA youth to build skills in soil and rangeland management. Top participants advance to national competitions in Oklahoma.
Each year one South Dakota teen attends the International Society for Range Management’s High School Youth Forum. In 2025, Karlie Kammerer of Piedmont presented at the international meeting and won top honors. She will return in 2026 as the forum moderator. Katelyn Gebhart of Meadow will also represent the state at the 2026 meeting as a delegate.
The Society also organizes the annual South Dakota Range Management Workshop, known as Range Camp. This event brings together NRCS, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and partners like The Nature Conservancy and Pheasants Forever. Each year features a new theme, from managing invasive species to riparian restoration.
Sunseri praised the Society’s dedication to both land stewardship and mentoring youth who will manage future landscapes. To learn about conservation planning, producers can contact their local USDA service center for free assistance.
Photo Credit: usda-nrcs
Categories: South Dakota, Education