Environment

A federal program pays farmers to keep marginal land out of crop production, and South Dakota enrollments are higher than they’ve been since the 1990s.That helps wildlife and the environment. But market forces could reverse the trend.

Several prescribed burns are tentatively planned on islands and sandbars in the Missouri River on the South Dakota-Nebraska border.

State officials say water levels will continue to drop at Lake Oahe due to drought conditions and low Rocky Mountain snowpack.

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) works with the USDA to deliver assistance to producers and landowners who are interested in converting some of their lands back into native prairie or setting undeveloped land aside for conservation. And in South Dakota, the program is targetting some of its effort to clean up the James River.

This story was continually updated. Final update: 10:22 am MT

The Black Hills National Forest is working with stakeholders to protect and balance recreation, business, the environment and grazing land as it sees an explosion in off-road vehicle riders.

The city of Sioux Falls is hosting its annual Big Sioux River Greenway Cleanup event on Saturday. At past cleanups, volunteers have removed thousands of pounds of trash from the river.

What happens when you invite millions of people to visit your travel destination and millions of people take you up on your offer?

The most recent Drought Monitor Map for South Dakota is showing that drought conditions are continuing across the state, and it’s worrying ranchers as 2022 marks a third year enduring these conditions.

In the words of Pat Guptill, "If we can't grow grass, we can't make money." Guptill is a rancher from Quinn in western South Dakota. As the current drought weighs heavy on farmers and ranchers across the state, Pat joins us today with some first-hand economic advice.