To restore and mange easements through stewardship and management activities

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded a $500,000 Project Grant under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (CFDA 10.931) to Pheasants Forever, Inc. The grant will fund activities to restore and manage conservation easements through stewardship and management activities. Key objectives include marking previously established easement boundaries with signage and removing obstructions such as rock piles and debris to reduce habitat fragmentation. The grant has a period of performance from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026. Pheasants Forever, a non-profit conservation organization, will serve as the prime awardee and collaborate with other partners to deliver these services across South Dakota.

The purpose of easement signage is to mark the previously established easement boundary. The purpose of obstruction removal is to reduce habitat fragmentation and places for nest predators to utilize by removing through burial or hauling unwanted features such as rock piles, debris, minor woody debris.