File:2012 South Dakota Youth Range Camp (7883145628).jpg

Youths gained an understanding of rangeland resources and a sense of stewardship in natural resource management during the 36th annual South Dakota Youth Range Camp, held June 4-6 at the Lamphere Ranch near Sturgis, S.D. "Instruction included components that have a strong biological basis for habitat management of both beef cattle and prairie grouse," said Kyle Schell, SDSU Extension range field specialist. Students participated in activities made up of field instruction and "hands-on" practice as well as some group meetings. During the camp, participants practiced range plant identification, which included learning several specific plant characteristics that affect range ecosystems. These characteristics included the range plant's life span, season of growth, origin, desirability for grouse food and cover as well as beef cattle grazing desirability. Students learned to determine ecological sites and arrive at a similarity index by conducting an inventory of the plants present in the ecological site. Utilizing this information, campers were able to determine the carrying capacity of the rangeland as well as completing habitat appraisal forms to determine suitability of rangeland to support beef cattle and grouse. Participants then selected management practices that would improve the beef cattle and grouse habitat to desired levels. At the completion of the youth range camp participants were able to: - Integrate basic plant and soil management and the ecological principles necessary to evaluate habitat suitability. - Demonstrate that management by humans can influence the range resource. - Demonstrate a basic understanding of how management affects rangeland and its resources. - Explain how a management practice that favors one use might not equally favor another. - Apply a basic understanding of rangeland ecosystems that will last for a lifetime. - Explain the importance of rangeland stewardship. A competition was held the last day of the three-day camp for participants to apply their newfound skills. Results are as follows: Beginning Camper Divison: first place, Eli Srtska, Newell; second place, Ben Stiegelmeier, Java; third place, Myles Addison, Kadoka; fourth place, Casey Bauer, Newell; and fifth place, Mariah Kessler, Pierre. Returning Camper Division: first place, Alisha Sheeler, Vale; second place, Brian Champion, Nisland; third place, Ethan Eddington, Newell; fourth place, Austn Thayer, Martin; and fifth place, Hannah Rose Higdon, Dupree. The camp was sponsored by the South Dakota section of the Society for Range Management, USDA-NRCS, Belle Fourche Watershed Project, South Dakota Cattleman's Association, South Dakota Grassland Coalition, National Wild Turkey Federation, SDSU, South Dakota Conservation Districts, South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts, South Dakota Association of Agriculture Educators, USDI-BLM, Meade County School District and SDSU Extension.