News and Updates

SD Division Izaak Walton League of America

State Convention Agenda

Friday April 25, 2025:

Check in, Social Hour and Dinner at the Enigma Restaurant at The Rushmore Hotel (445 Mt. Rushmore Road).  Please note that this is a   “No host event, so each guest is responsible for their own meal and drinks”.

Saturday April 26, 2025:

8:00 AM The Rushmore Hotel:

Call to order, Roll Call, and Pledges. Flag Ceremony.

Arianna Galles Welcome Presentation

8:15 to 9:00 – Kristin Cozet, Western Dakota Regional Water System.

9:00 to 9:45  – Black Hills Raptor Center.

9:45 to 10:00 Break

10:00 to 10:45 – John Kanta, from the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. Speaking on the New Western SD shooting range.

10:45 to 11:30 – Lilias Jarding, Black Hills Clean Water Alliance

Adjourn and Travel to the SD, G, F&P Outdoor Campus West

(4130 Adventure Trail, Rapid City) for Lunch and Afternoon activities.

12:00 to 1:00 Lunch and guest presentations.

Lacy Elrod, Outdoor Campus West.

Joshua Osterbur, Healing Waters

1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Free time.

5:00 to 6:00 – Social hour Rushmore Hotel

6:00 to 8:00 – Banquet

Ray Charles, Sanford Lab Guest Speaker.

 Awards Ceremony

Sunday April 27, 2025:

8:00 AM Rushmore Hotel

         8:00 to 8:30 coffee

         8:30-9:30  Business meeting begins

                         Treasurer's Report

                         Secretary's report - Mid-Winter meeting minute

                         Directors and Chapter reports/updates

                         Election of officers

         9:30-9:45   Break

         9:45-10:30 MRI and Legislation updates - Paul Lepisto

         10:30-11:30 Any unfinished convention business

         11:30       Convention adjourns

Izaak Walton League of America

SD State Conference

April 25-27, 2025

Rushmore Hotel & Suites

445 Mt Rushmore Road

Rapid City, SD 57701

2025 Annual Conference

Registration Form

NAME                                                                                                                      

NAME for NAME BADGE:  First                                           Last                                     

ADDRESS                                                                  CITY/STATE/ZIP                              

EMAIL __________________________________________

 NUMBER                            ITEM                                                      AMOUNT

                      Registration for entire event..................... @$75.00 =                      
                           (Meals included)

                           (Postmarked by April 10, 2025)

                      Spouse, guest(s) lunch............................... @$15.00 =                      

                           (Postmarked by April 10, 2025)

                      Spouse, guest(s) banquet/dinner............... @$40.00 =                      

                           (Postmarked by April 10, 2025)

________          Special Dietary needs              lunch  @$15.00  ____________ 

                                                                               banquet  @$40.00      ____________

                                    TOTAL                                                                

Advance registration must be postmarked by April 10, 2025.  Please make checks payable to RC IWLA.

Izaak Walton League

PO Box 891

Rapid City, SD 57709

A block of rooms has been set aside at the Rushmore Hotel & Suites, 445 Mt Rushmore Road, Rapid City, SD, 57701, for conference attendees.  Room reservations may be made any time before March 24, 2025, by calling (605) 343-8300.  Specify that you are with the Izaak Walton League Conference when making reservations. 

Room Rates:  $89.00/single or $99.00/double.

No refunds will be made after April 15  (Substitutions can be made).

Questions?  Contact: Mark Boddicker, 605-863-2152 or boddicker@mt-rushmore.net

Minnehaha Conservation District 2024 Wildlife Habitat Award Nominee:

Scott and Mary DeWitte

Nominee Address:

Scott and Mary DeWitte

24761 487th Ave

Sherman, SD 57030

Narrative:

Driven by their strong conservation ethic on their 415-acre property, Scott and Mary DeWitte have demonstrated for over 25 years what it truly means to be stewards of the land. Being avid outdoor enthusiasts and hunters, Scott and Mary understand the necessity of fostering good quality wildlife habitat and the impact caring for the land makes. Furthermore, they believe anything they do, from planting native grasses to stocking game birds on their lands, is essential as they want to carry on the outdoor traditions they grew up with for generations to come.

When visiting Scott and Mary’s property, the time and work put in to create an operation that is a stunning example of utilizing best management practices is evident. This is no surprise as the Dewitte family has regularly participated in programs since 2007 regarding their farm plans, utilizing CRP, EQIP, Game, Fish & Parks, and Big Sioux River Project initiatives. NRCS programs were used to establish various field windbreaks and wildlife habitat shelterbelts, along with over a mile of living snow fence on 487th Ave, with some sections of these practices having been installed over a decade ago.

Additionally, a 30-acre section of woody habitat was installed in 2018. Over 30 acres of pollinator habitat and multiple acres of wildlife food plots can be found throughout from use of

Game, Fish, & Parks projects. There is an area buffering east Pipestone Creek utilizing SRAM. Two wildlife ponds are established within the property and the list of conservation implementation just goes on. 

The influence this work has made on the land is easily noticed, as it is difficult to not find wildlife when visiting this area on the northeast side of Minnehaha County. Wildflowers and native grasses throughout not only assist pollinators, providing a food source for many bird varieties, but also create essential wildlife cover. The ponds provide necessary water sources, while the buffers used surrounding Pipestone Creek assist in creating a cleaner environment for the aquatic species that reside there. The many forested habitats also create abundant opportunities for wildlife, such as deer and turkeys, to have shelter, making the property a haven for all the many species that call South Dakota home.

As the years go on, the DeWitte family continues to exemplify what it means to be conservationists, constantly doing more to better the land. The health of acreage and just overall life that is present overwhelmingly supports this. They are a fantastic example of what is hoped all landowners will look to do, and Minnehaha Conservation District is proud to nominate them for consideration for the 2024 Wildlife Habitat Award.

 Photos of Implementation Practices 

Pollinator and Native Grass Plantings, Food Plots, & Other Wildlife Areas

Shelterbelts, Windbreaks, Living Snow Fence, & Woody Habitat

Buffer Area & Wildlife Pond

National Conservation Award

James Schaeffer

Judge John W. Tobin Volunteer Appreciation Award

Kris Goeden

100th Anniversary for Sioiux Falls Chapter

Defender’s Chapter Achievement Award

Deer Hunting

Pheasant Hunting

Mickelson Trail Bicyclists

Turkey Hunting with the Goeden's

Jonah Dancsisin Bags his First Turkey

A memorial rock was placed outside the clubhouse to honor the Harr family.  Jack, Jerry and Dick were IWLA members who were dedicated to the club and participated in activities at the club, including trap shooting.   Honoring their memories are their wives - Lauverne (Jerry) Harr, Donna (Jack) Harr, Rae (Dick) Harr.