National Audubon Society's annual photo contest - the time period to submit entries is Jan 15-March 4th - Last chance to submit - submit by noon EST. For more details visit the National Audubon Society web page. https://www.audubon.org/press-room/2026-audubon-photography-awards-open-entries See archives to look at previous years winners and honorable mentions - if you keep selecting "show […]
SD Board of Minerals and Environment's January 2026 meeting The public may participate in-person or via telephone by dialing 1-605-679-7263 and entering Conference ID 972399244#. The full board packet and the link for live streaming are available on the South Dakota Boards and Commissions Portal at https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/Meetings.aspx?BoardID=67. Board of Minerals and Environment Telephone Conference Meeting […]
Vote on Destination Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, also known as Libertyland. 1/20/26 Rapid City residents please remember to vote in this special election. We are concerned about allowing tax breaks and the use of taxpayer money for this private enterprise, and the environmental impacts (energy consumption, water), not to mention the patriotic hubris. https://www.kotatv.com/2025/10/07/special-election-determine-libertylands-fate-will-be-held-january-20/ […]
The Commission has taken the Alternative Energy ordinance back for revisions, and a first reading of the updated version is scheduled for the January 20th meeting. Rick Bell at the Dec 16th, review, offered recommendations on behalf of DRA, in his role as a board member, regarding some of the problematic language in the ordinance […]
Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Statewide Bonds; Extension of Phase-In Deadline Comment deadline on Federal rule to extend the phase-in period for compliance with the Oil and Gas Rule’s bonding requirement - deadline Jan 20th, 2026 Federal Register Notice https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/18/2025-23228/federal-onshore-oil-and-gas-statewide-bonds-extension-of-phase-in-deadline Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management 43 CFR Part 3100, A2407-014-004-065516, #O2509-014-004-125222, RIN […]
On November 20, the Department of the Interior released President Trump’s new offshore drilling lease plan, the 11th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program. The proposal includes as many as 34 potential offshore lease sales across 1.27 billion acres. It includes 21 areas off the coast of Alaska, seven in the Gulf of […]
Concrete Plant General Permit D The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) is proposing to issue a general air quality permit for concrete plants throughout the State of South Dakota. Statewide 02/01/2026. Public Notice Draft permit Application Review Concrete Plant General Permit A The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources […]
February 13-16, 2026 "Great Back Yard Bird Count" Visit web site of "Great Back Yard Bird Count" for details - https://www.birdcount.org/. Birders bird at home or local place during a time period that occurs within the 4 days and put birding data up on one of several web sites. Here is a quote from […]
An opportunity to get out into nature and bond with other nature lovers, on Valentines Day. The Izaak Walton League of American, Rapid City Chapter will be testing for nitrates and salt. Clean Up Rapid Creek is this Saturday 2/14/2026 at 10:00 AM. Steele Avenue Park, 200 E Main Street Rapid City. The weather is […]
Piedmont (Foothills Area) Legislative Cracker Barrel Feb 14th, 1:30-4:00 pm, Piedmont Valley American Legion Post 311, 101 Pine St. Piedmont, Legislators from District 33 and 29 are invited. Prairie Hills Audubon Society and the American Legion Post 311, are joint sponsors of this event.