GFP News - January 3, 2013

  • Group Lodge Reservations Open Jan. 7; Campsite Reservations On Jan. 31 
  • Free Archery Training Provided To Schools
  • Wildlife Diversity Small Grant Proposals Being Accepted Beginning January 1, 2013

Group Lodge Reservations Open Jan. 7; Campsite Reservations On Jan. 31

PIERRE, S.D. -- Beginning on Monday, Jan. 7, at 7 a.m. CST, visitors can start making lodge reservations at South Dakota state parks.

"Once lodge reservations open on Jan. 7, they will be taken up to one year in advance, year-round," said state Parks and Recreation Director Doug Hofer. "So if you'd like to stay July 4, 2014, you can reserve the lodge on July 4, 2013."

Lodges are found at Lake Thompson Recreation Area near Lake Preston, Shadehill Recreation Area near Lemmon, Mina Lake Recreation Area near Aberdeen, Newton Hills State Park near Canton, Oahe Downstream Recreation Area near Pierre and Palisades State Park near Sioux Falls.

Once reservations open at 7 a.m. CST, reservations can be made 24 hours a day online at www.campsd.com or by calling 1-800-710-2267.

All camping fees must be paid at the time a reservation is made. There is a $7.70, non-refundable reservation fee, which does not apply to South Dakota residents. A valid park entrance license is required in designated fee areas.
The first day to make individual campsite reservations is Jan. 31. Campsites are reservable year-round within 90 days of arrival. Custer State Park accepts reservations one year in advance.

For more information on reservations, visit the South Dakota Division of Parks and Recreation website at www.gfp.sd.gov or call 605-773-3391.

-GFP-

Free Archery Training Provided To Schools

PIERRE, S.D. -- The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks has scheduled two upcoming training sessions for the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP).

NASP allows school districts in South Dakota to safely incorporate archery into their school curriculums at no cost.
Trainings are scheduled for Harrisburg and Spearfish on Jan. 21. Each session will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Upon successful completion of the training, new schools to the program will be eligible to receive free archery equipment from GFP.

Teachers wishing to introduce archery into their schools must pre-register for training by email at outdoorprogramming@gmail.com or by phone at 605-220-2130. Space is limited so registrations should be made as soon as possible.

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Wildlife Diversity Small Grant Proposals Being Accepted Beginning January 1, 2013

PIERRE, S.D. -- The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks Wildlife Diversity Program is now accepting proposals for the Wildlife Diversity Small Grants Program.

The program provides funding for researchers, educators and naturalists for projects focused on native wildlife. Funding for the 2013 Small Grants Program totals $35,000 for education and outreach related to native wildlife species and their habitats.

Wildlife Diversity Small Grants have funded education, research, and monitoring projects since 1997. A wide range of projects have been completed to date, ranging from creation of a field guide to the tiger beetles of South Dakota to evaluating the nesting ecology of raptors in the Black Hills.

GFP recognizes that there is a tremendous pool of talent and expertise outside of the department that can be beneficial to the mission of the Wildlife Division. By making small grants available, GFP is able use those outside resources. The diverse projects that have been completed in the last 16 years have resulted in numerous publications in scientific journals, popular educational products, and a tremendous amount of new information on native wildlife species and their habitats.

Grant proposals are due by Feb. 15, 2013.

For more information, contact the Wildlife Diversity Program at 605- 773-4345 or email Casey.Mehls@state.sd.us

Additional information and grant application forms can be found at: http://gfp.sd.gov/wildlife/funding/wildlife-diversity-small-grants.aspx 

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