South Dakota Volunteers Give 350 Hours to Conservation

Volunteers across South Dakota are quietly protecting the state's natural treasures, one wetland and farm field at a time.

Through the USDA's Earth Team program, volunteers contributed more than 350 hours in 2025 to help the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) work with farmers and ranchers on conservation projects. Their efforts delivered $12,315 in benefits to taxpayers and agricultural producers statewide.

The program pairs everyday citizens with federal conservation experts to extend services that would otherwise be impossible with limited staff. Volunteers provide technical assistance to farmers, support office operations, and lead community education projects about protecting soil, water, and wildlife.

In Brookings County, one Earth Team volunteer spent days walking property lines with NRCS staff to monitor conservation easements. Together, they confirmed boundary markers, verified landowners were following easement terms, and photographed wetlands to document changes over time. This hands-on work ensures that protected habitats stay protected for future generations.

"Whether a volunteer donates a month, a year, or a lifetime, those hours matter cumulatively because they stretch our human resources and enable us to do even more," said Acting State Conservationist Jessica Michalski. Each volunteer hour means another farmer gets expert advice on improving water quality or another wetland receives monitoring to protect migrating birds.

The Ripple Effect

The beauty of Earth Team extends beyond conservation outcomes. Volunteers gain real-world skills in environmental science and federal service while earning academic credit or fulfilling community service requirements. Young people exploring conservation careers get unpaid internships that open doors to future opportunities in land management and agriculture.

Meanwhile, farmers and ranchers receive free expertise they might not otherwise access. A single volunteer helping with easement monitoring means staff can spend more time designing conservation plans for working lands. That translates to healthier soil, cleaner water, and better wildlife habitat across thousands of South Dakota acres.

The program proves that protecting nature doesn't require massive budgets or government mandates. Sometimes it just takes neighbors willing to walk fence lines, check on wetlands, and help farmers be better stewards of the land they love.

Anyone interested in joining can sign up through the Earth Team program webpage to find opportunities in their community.