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USDA honors grassland coalition for conservation workSouth Dakota U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Arlen Lancaster May 2 presented the 2007 Excellence in Conservation Award to the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, a non-profit organization that seeks voluntary improvement of privately owned grassland. The award ceremony was held at the State Capital Rotunda during the national observance of Soil and Water Stewardship Week, April 29 to May 6. South Dakota's Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Even, and NRCS State Conservationist, Janet Oertly, joined Chief Lancaster in recognizing the many accomplishments, leadership, and guidance in the cooperative efforts of the coalition. "True conservation of our natural resources can be achieved only when groups and individuals put their commitment to conservation into action," said Lancaster. "The South Dakota Grassland Coalition takes their knowledge of conservation to communities and individuals across South Dakota regularly and with distinction." The NRCS Excellence in Conservation Award as a national award is the highest award the agency gives to honor those outside the Federal government for their work in conservation. This award is given to only one group or individual one time per year. This annual award recognizes the voluntary contributions of non-governmental individuals, groups, and Tribes through their conservation efforts in areas of technical assistance, programs delivery, technology transfer, outreach, or communication. The SDGLC was organized to promote education, offer assistance and information to individuals and groups who are interested in grazing management and are committed to improving South Dakota's grasslands. "In order to maintain our agriculture industry we must be good stewards of the land. And through the partnership of groups like the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, along with local, state and Federal programs, South Dakota has experienced the rewards of proactive conservation," said Even. The Coalition, with more than 100 members, has taken on numerous projects to further accelerate technical assistance, and information and educational programs. They organized and sponsored several tours and workshops such as; livestock handling seminars; ranch tours focusing on grassland and rangeland management practices; the South Dakota Grazing School; and Rangeland Days, a two-day range management event aimed toward junior and senior high school students. "It has been a great pleasure to work with these folks over the course of the years," said Oertly. "Their energy, enthusiasm, creativity and unwavering commitment to the voluntary improvement of privately owned grasslands have been unparalleled. We are very pleased their communication and outreach accomplishments are being recognized by this award." Since its formation, the Coalition's outreach efforts have enabled the NRCS along with other partners to write conservation plans covering more than 1.8 million acres and applied conservation practices on close to a million acres. Soil and Water Stewardship Week is one of the world's largest conservation-related observances to increase public awareness of conservation and stewardship, stressing the importance of partnerships in conservation. Since 1955, the National Association of Conservation Districts has sponsored the national Stewardship Week program. Since its inception in the 1930s, NRCS' conservation delivery system continues a unique partnership, delivering conservation that respects local needs, while accommodating state and national interests. For more information on NRCS, the conservation partnership, and conservation programs available in your community, stop by your local USDA service center, or visit NRCS online at www.nrcs.usda.gov. Date: 5/24/07
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