Conservation
Sioux Empire Water Festival 2024
The 31st annual Sioux Empire Water Festival was held at the Exhibit Hall on March 12 & 13! With the last-minute schedule changes, we had 2317 students and 105 teachers from 45 area schools who attended this year’s event. Not only did they learn more about water, but they had a great time doing it!
This year’s Festival featured 33 exhibits, 23 in-person classroom presentations, 18 virtual presentations, and a virtual quiz bowl. The diversity of exhibitors and presenters teaching about all aspects of water truly makes this event a success.
Thanks to Paul Lepisto, Jeff Clow, Phil Langer and John Monahan for their work at the festival this year.
Testing by Local Conservationists
Biological Monitoring
Last Biological monitoring for 2023 was conducted September 19th
Biological Stream Testing
Macro Invertebrate Count
On Oct. 5, 2022, John Wheeler, Phil Langner, John Monahan and Jeff Clow did a macro invertebrate count at McHardy Park in Brandon. The results gave the stream a good rating. To see the full report go to the Conservation link on our web page.
Water Testing
On July 28, 2022, John Wheeler and Jeff Clow did Biological Stream monitoring of Split Rock Creek. To read the full report go to our web page under Conservation / Clean Water Hub.
Arbor Day 2023
The Ikes Arbor Day project was held on May 1st at Harvey Dunn Elementary with 90, 3rd graders present. Phil gave an excellent presentation with many of the students volunteering to help plant the tree.
Sioux Empire Water Festival 2023
The Sioux Empire Water Festival is an educational event where area children learn about water. This precious resource is a central factor in all aspects of our lives. The goal of the festival is to increase awareness of the many uses of water and to preserve its quality for future generations. This event is held once a year for 4th graders from Sioux Falls area schools.
The Sioux Falls Izaak Walton has a booth that educates the youth on water issues, evasive species, and bugs in the environment.
Thanks to the Conservationsists that attended this years event:
Paul LepistoJeff ClowPhil LangnerJohn MonahanJohn Wheeler
Habitat Efforts
Bryan Goeden recently planted 4 acres of warm season grass for habitat.
Thanks to Bryan and all sportsmen and conservationists that do their part in conservation efforts!
Creek Critters
Explore the Outdoors with Creek Critters
Itching to explore your local stream as we leap into spring? Try Creek Critters! Perfect for families, public programs, and even as a solo activity, Creek Critters is easy and fun, and it only requires a small aquarium net and a smartphone.
Collect bugs by following simple step-by-step instructions, and identify your bugs with an interactive identification key. The Creek Critters app automatically calculates your Stream Health Score based on your findings, and it sends your data to the Clean Water Hub.
Arbor Day 2022
Arbor Day was April 29, 2022 and the Club planted a tree at the new Brandon Valley Inspiration School on East 41st street with 46 students attending from the third grade class. Each received a packet with Arbor Day and League information. The students asked a variety of questions as Phil Langner explained Arbor Day, water testing and the Leagues history. After the presentation, the students went outside to the tree site. KSYF was present to report on this event.
Other club members planted trees for Arbor Day. Harry Goeden planted trees with his grandchildren. Doug and Gary Harr also planted trees in honor of Arbor Day.
MarMRI.pdfPast Conservation Projects
Preservation Partners
Good Earth State Park Project
Ditch Walk
Observation Deck at Dewey Nature Center at Wall Lake - 2005
Local Boy Scout group in Creek Freak Training
Blast from the Past
1926
Izaak Walton League Sioux Falls Chapter sponsored movement to build Sewage Disposal Works Plant