BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Prairie Hills Audubon Society - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://phas-wsd.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Prairie Hills Audubon Society REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Denver BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20230312T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20231105T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20240310T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20241103T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20250309T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20251102T080000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0700 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:MDT DTSTART:20260308T090000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0700 TZNAME:MST DTSTART:20261101T080000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20241204T083000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20241204T180000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20241123T171650Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241123T172108Z UID:15622-1733301000-1733335200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Water Management Board December Meeting DESCRIPTION:A meeting is scheduled for the Water Management Board on 12/4/2024 9:30:00 AM CT. Please visit the Boards and Commissions Portal to learn more about past and upcoming meetings! https://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/\n\n\nWater Management Board meeting’s web page:\nhttps://boardsandcommissions.sd.gov/Meetings.aspx?BoardID=106 URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/water-management-board-december-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20241205T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20241205T160000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20240516T232434Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241201T214705Z UID:12748-1733400000-1733414400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD Game Fish and Parks Commission Hybrid meeting - likely in Pierre DESCRIPTION:SD Game Fish and Parks Commission Hybrid meeting –  in Pierre\, December 5th \n  \nThere will be face-to-face and Zoom attendance. \nFolks can testify for 3 minutes at 2 pm MT in person or by Zoom or phone on rule finalizations and/or at the Open Forum . Visit this web page for more details when close to the date: \n: https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/ \nAGENDA\nhttps://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/Commission_Agenda_-_December_5\,_2024_Public_Copy.pdf \n\nDecember 5\, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. CT \nCapitol Building Room 414 — Pierre\, SD | Livestream link \nZoom Meeting Link | To join via conference call\, dial 1.669.900.9128 | Webinar ID: 912 6417 6710 | Passcode: 970458 \n\n  \nDecember is often a month without rule finalizations. \nPublic Input at the meeting: \nTo provide comments\, join the meeting in person\, via zoom\, or via conference call per the info above. To conduct the public hearing and/or open forum as efficiently as possible SDGFP asks those wishing to testify to register by 1:00 pm CT by email to Liz.Kierl@state.sd.us. Testifiers should provide their full names\, whom they are representing\, city of residence\, and which proposed topic they will be addressing. If you forget\, they are polite and normally ask if anyone who failed to register wants to testify. \nWritten comments can be submitted here. To be included in the public record of the December meeting \, comments must include full name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of seventy-two hours before the meeting (not including the day of the meeting). Late comments will end up in the next month’s record. \n  \nUnless you want to communicate directly with each Commissioner  (those comments will not be in the public record)–  https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/members/  (no deadline). You can see phones and home address at this link.  Here are likely e-mails for them. \n“Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us” \, “Jon.Locken@state.sd.us” \,  “Travis.Bies@state.sd.us” \, “Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us” \, “Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us”   \nThe three new commissioners  e-mails likely are: \nJim.White@state.sd.us\, \, Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us\, Travis.Theel@state.sd.us\, URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-commission-hybrid-meeting-likely-in-pierre/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20241211T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20241211T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20241203T022154Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241203T022243Z UID:15694-1733941800-1733947200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Prairie Hills Audubon Society December Board Meeting DESCRIPTION:Prairie Hills Audubon Society (PHAS) Board Meetings are normally the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm MT\, if there will be a quorum of board members. If a quorum will be lacking\, we move the date\, which then might be the second Thursday or third Wednesday/Thursday. These meetings are open to members and others by invitation. For more information contact Nancy at 605-787-6466 or phas.wsd@rapidnet.com\, URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/prairie-hills-audubon-society-december-board-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20241214T053000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250105T193000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20241203T023855Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241211T033645Z UID:15699-1734154200-1736105400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Christmas Bird Counts 2024-2025 DESCRIPTION:125th Annual Christmas Bird Counts 2024-2025 \nThe Christmas Bird Counts (CBCs) run from December 14th to January 5th of every year. \nThis year\, in western SD:  Rapid City\, Sturgis & Pierre CBCs are Dec 14th\, Wind Cave & Hot Springs are  Dec 15th.\, Shadehill is Dec. 17th\, Bison is Dec.  19th\, Badlands is Dec.  27th\, Harding County is Dec . 28th\, Pine Ridge is the 30th of December\, Spearfish is  Jan the 5th\, 2025\,   As far as we know Piedmont is orphaned and lacking a compiler. Date is yet unknown for  –  Sundance\, Wyoming. \nFor details visit our Prairie Hills Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count web page: https://phas-wsd.org/christmas-bird-counts-regional/ \nWe have more information about CBCs in eastern SD and nearby counts in other states in our region on our Prairie Hills Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count web page:  https://phas-wsd.org/christmas-bird-counts-regional/ \nEach count has a compiler\,  who you need to contact for more information about the counts. Information on the official counts\, that are affiliated with the National Audubon Society\, can also be found on their Christmas Bird Count web page. https://www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count \nNational Audubon Society’s map of CBC circles: https://gis.audubon.org/christmasbirdcount/?_gl=1*cw58ys*_gcl_au*MTA3MzM5NzIwNy4xNzMzMTk0NDI3*_ga*MTE0ODc1NDgxMC4xNjg0MTE2Mzkw*_ga_X2XNL2MWTT*MTczMzE5NDQyOC4xMy4xLjE3MzMxOTQ0NjkuMTkuMC4w \nCounts normally start after the sunlight arrives on Count day and some counts have pre-count and/or post count meetings.  You can also feeder watch. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/christmas-bird-counts-2024-2025/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20241216T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20241216T210000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20241204T195349Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241211T020744Z UID:15723-1734373800-1734382800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Prairie Hills Audubon Society's December Meeting on Mining by Zoom DESCRIPTION:Prairie Hills Audubon Society’s  (PHAS) December Meeting will be on  mining threats to the area\,  by Zoom\, \nLilias’s Presentation’s Title: 2024 Updates on Exploration/Mining Projects\n\nDescription: “Things are moving very fast around water and mining issues in the Black Hills. This is your chance to catch up on what’s going on at the end of 2024 — and what might be expected in early 2025. New projects will be mourned! Successes will be celebrated!”\n\nIt will start at 6:30 pm MT. Lilias Jarding of Black Hills Clean Water Alliance and Gary Placco of Black  Hills Preservation Project will be speaking.   Gary Placo of Black Hills Preservation Project will be the MC. We have also invited the folks\, who are circulating a referendum petition on who approves Conditional Use Permits in Lawrence County\, to speak. Many mines in the Black Hills occur in Lawrence County and they first need to get a county Conditional Use Permit.  For more info on referendum effort with 12/18/24 petition return deadline: https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-return-notarized-petitions-on-referring-lawrence-countys-zoning-ordinances-24-05-changes/ \nWe get Lilias to come to a PHAS meeting about once every year or year and a half to update us on mining threats to our area. If you go to our recordings of past PHAS meetings you can watch Lilias’s past presentations to PHAS – https://phas-wsd.org/recorded-meetings/. \nTopic: PHAS monthly meetings\nTime: These are recurring codes for the PHAS monthly meetings\n\nJoin Zoom Meeting\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/85433920233?pwd=QmxYUDMvMGRrNW9yRmVON3VPU0dRZz09\n\nMeeting ID: 854 3392 0233\nPasscode: 534620\n—\nOne tap mobile\n+16694449171\,\,85433920233#\,\,\,\,*534620# US\n+16699006833\,\,85433920233#\,\,\,\,*534620# US (San Jose)\n\n—\nDial by your location\n• +1 669 444 9171 US\n• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)\n• +1 719 359 4580 US\n• +1 253 205 0468 US\n• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)\n• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)\n• +1 689 278 1000 US\n• +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)\n• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)\n• +1 305 224 1968 US\n• +1 309 205 3325 US\n• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)\n• +1 360 209 5623 US\n• +1 386 347 5053 US\n• +1 507 473 4847 US\n• +1 564 217 2000 US\n• +1 646 931 3860 US\n\nMeeting ID: 854 3392 0233\nPasscode: 534620\n\nFind your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbb9dO0PBV\n  \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/prairie-hills-audubon-societys-december-meeting-on-mining-by-zoom/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20241216T215000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20241216T215900 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20241118T202102Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241214T000641Z UID:15565-1734385800-1734386340@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to File Protest on BLM's Decision on Greater Sage Grouse Amendments to RMPs DESCRIPTION:Deadline to File Protest on BLM’s Decision on Greater Sage Grouse Amendments to RMPs \nLink to the FEIS\nhttps://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/biden-administration-tightens-sage-grouse-protections-ahead-of-second-trump-term/ar-AA1tKRLm\nThe Federal Register notice ran on November 15\, which would mean the protest is due December 15th\, which is a Sunday. There is no postal delivery on Sundays so the deadline thus becomes Monday (the Post Office’s next working day) \nWe are not sure of the time of day\, but likely it is  just before midnight Eastern Time (i.e. – 10 pm MT ) but it might be later such as midnight MT. If concerned about time of day of deadline\, ask BLM. \nNewspaper article on BLM action \nhttps://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/biden-administration-tightens-sage-grouse-protections-ahead-of-second-trump-term/ar-AA1tKRLm URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-file-protest-on-blms-decision-on-greater-sage-grouse-amendments-to-rmps/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20241217T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20241219T160000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20241123T172717Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241217T210006Z UID:15631-1734422400-1734624000@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Treaty Council Meeting - Oceti Sakourin Treaty Conference DESCRIPTION:Oceti Sakourin Treaty Conference  Dec 17th-19th\, 2024 at the Holiday Inn near the Civic Center\, Downtown\, Rapid City.  For info\, Phillip Two Eagles of Rosebud Sioux Tribe is arranging it. (pd2eagle@yahoo.com) \nhttps://sicangudata.org/2024_oceti_sakowin_treaty_conference \nDeadline to reserve rooms at cheaper rate with Holiday Inn\, was November 20th\, 2024. \nThe official registration fee is $250 \nLink to the agenda: https://sicangudata.org/2024_oceti_sakowin_treaty_conference#heading-agenda URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/treaty-council-meeting/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/treaty-council-image.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20241218T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20241218T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20241204T200839Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241218T024604Z UID:15727-1734508800-1734552000@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to return notarized petitions on referring Lawrence County's Zoning Ordinance's 24-05 Changes DESCRIPTION:The 18th of December is the deadline to return the notarized petitions with signatures\, to the organizers of petition drive (who will deliver the set to the County). The referendum petition\, would refer Lawrence County’s recent Zoning Ordinance’s 24-05 . \nOrganizers have to return the cluster of notarized petitions to the County by COB on Dec 20th. Circulators wanted an extra few days to xerox and organize petitions and/or inspire a last minute push\, if not enough signatures have been gathered by the 18th. \nOrdinance’ 24-05 approved changes to Lawrence County’s Zoning Ordinance to place Conditional Use Permit (CUP) approvals under the appointed Board of Adjustment rather than under the elected Commission.  Lawrence County has allowed their approval of a mining CUP to be referred in the past and the public rejected the mine’s  approval. Some decisions of County Commissions can be referred\, but none of those of  the Boards of Adjustments. \nWe (PHAS) are concerned about all land use management\, but especially the approval of new mines\, which in Lawrence County need a CUP. This adds an extra layer of protection and local control to Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources mine permitting/licensing process\, as the mine must be approved by both Lawrence County and DANR.  See Lawrence County’s Extractive Industries CUP terms: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/lawrencecounty/latest/lawrencecty_sd_land/0-0-0-3178#JD_TitleIIChapter20   Only counties with zoning can achieve this authority over hard-rock mining. \nMore information about referendum effort that was sent to us by petition circulators can be found here – https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Note-on-Referendum-Ord-24-05-Lawrence-Cnty.pdf. \nFor now\, for more information also go to our alert on November 26th about Lawrence County Commission’s meeting.  https://phas-wsd.org/event/lawrence-county-commission-2nd-reading-of-ordinance-24-05/ \nContact persons for referendum  in Lawrence County are Les Wolf –  les.wolff@icloud.com\, 605-848-4050 or Kristin Wing at 713-542-7559\, kawing2218@gmail.com. \nPlaces/Times to sign petitions: \nRosalie Aslesen will be at the coffee shop Ruby’s Roost on Thursday\, December 12\, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon with petitions for people to sign.  Ruby’s Roost is located on Jackson\, close to the corner of Main Street. \nThere will also be petitions to sign at a Democratic Party meeting – LCDems Monthly Meeting – Wednesday\, December 11 · 7:00 – 8:30 pm at Lewies in Lead\, SD\, For info – \nPetitions return \nWe don’t yet know time of day when petitions need to be returned by and to whom\, but we will update this post with more information when we have it. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-return-notarized-petitions-on-referring-lawrence-countys-zoning-ordinances-24-05-changes/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250107T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250107T190000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250113T040614Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250113T044017Z UID:16497-1736272800-1736276400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Meeting on “How to Use the LRC Website and MyLRC+” - SD Legislative Training DESCRIPTION:SD Advocacy Network for Women is doing a training series on the SD legislature \nDid you miss the January 7th video conferencing presentation?  Here’s your link to the recording of Betty Oldenkamp’s session on “How to Use the LRC Website and MyLRC+” \nIt is about an hour long.\nhttps://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11WzjCEkgh4oAsQYB5xvT666JiA_Qtfqe?usp=drive_link \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/16497/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250108T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250108T170000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250108T133444Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250108T133444Z UID:16196-1736323200-1736355600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to send written comments to SDGFP Commission for their January 25 meeting DESCRIPTION:Sunday night just before midnight CT is the deadline to send written comments to SDGFP Commission for their January 9-10\, 2025 meeting. Go to our event calendar for January 9-10 to learn more about the upcoming meeting. \n  \nThe Commission normally meets on the first Thursday of the month\, unless holidays interfere (they normally skip meeting in August and February ). \nThe written comment deadline is midnight of the Sunday before meeting\, in the time Zone the meeting happens in\, which is usually Central Time (more Commission meetings occur in Eastern than Western SD). \nWritten comments can be submitted at https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. To be included in the public record of the most immediate meeting\, comments must include your complete name and city of residence and meet the submission deadline of seventy–two hours before the meeting (not including the day of the meeting) (Usually Sunday night before midnight CT or MT depending on time zone of physical meeting)  If you miss that deadline it goes to the public record of the next meeting . \nUnless you want to communicate directly with each Commissioner  (those comments will not be in the public record)–  https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/members/  (no deadline). You can see phones and home address at this link.  Here are likely e-mails for them.\n\n“Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us” \, “Jon.Locken@state.sd.us” \,  “Travis.Bies@state.sd.us” \, “Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us” \, “Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us” \nThe three new commissioners  e-mails likely are: \nJim.White@state.sd.us\, \, Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us\, Travis.Theel@state.sd.us\, \nYou can comment orally at the Commission meeting by Zoom or teleconference – or in person. This opportunity will be a 2 pm CT and you will be given 3 minutes for each rule finalization and 3 minutes for Open Forum. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-send-written-comments-to-sdgfp-commission-for-their-january-25-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250109T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250110T110000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250108T130913Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250203T215549Z UID:16187-1736424000-1736506800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD Game\, Fish and Parks Commission meeting Jan 9th-10th\, 2025 DESCRIPTION:SD Game\, Fish and Parks Commission meeting Jan 9th-10th\, 2025\, Hybrid meeting > Pierre\, Ramkota Convention Center and Zoom \nDate and Time: January 9\, 2025\, from 1-5 pm CST | January 10\, 2025\, from 8 am-12 pm CST \nZoom Webinar: Click here to join the meeting Meeting ID: 912 6417 6710 Passcode: 970458\nCall In: +16699009128\,\,91264176710# US Video Conference ID: 91264176710@zoomcrc \n  \nLink to Current Meeting Overview _ https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/ \nAgenda: https://gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/Commission_Agenda_January_2024_Public_Copy.pdf \nThere was a proposal presented\, \, to increase hound hunting of cougars in the prairie unit to allow hunters to hunt on public land (currently can only hunt on public land if the chase began on private land and moved to public land). This proposal moved forward to finalization hearing on March 6th. There is also a proposal on Bear Butte Public Use Restriction\, about spreading human remains. \nPlease write in opposition to this cougar hunting proposal or attend to testify against it. \nURL for GFP’s  cougar hunting proposal\nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Mt-Lion-proposal.-Commission_Book_-_January_9-10_2024.pdf\n  \nYou can testify during open forum in person or on Zoom (2 pm CT) . Please inform Liz Kierl at liz.kierl@state.sd.us by 1 pm CST if you plan to speak during the meeting URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-commission-meeting-jan-9th-10th-2025/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250109T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250109T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250108T132142Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250125T001835Z UID:16188-1736443800-1736452800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Meeting by organizers of referendum on Lawrence County Zoning changes DESCRIPTION:Meeting at which organizers of referendum on Lawrence County Zoning changes (to put Conditional Use Permits (CUPs)  under authority of Board of Adjustments\, not the Commission)  will speak. \nAn informational meeting is being held this Thursday (1/9) at the VFW in Spearfish starting at 5:30pm.  The VFW is located at 3102 E Fairgrounds Loop – just down the road from  Guadalajara restaurant. \nThe volunteers in Lawrence County got more than enough signatures to refer Ord 2024-05 (rewrite of Zoning Ordinance > to put CUPs under the Board of Adjustment\, instead of Commission).\nThe signatures were due on Dec 20th\, 2024\nHowever on Jan 3rd\, 2025 the Lawrence County Auditor wrote a letter to referendum leader who submitted petitions and said the County Commission thinks the rewrite of Zoning Ordinance is an administrative action not a legislative action and they think administrative actions are not referable\, so she refused to plan an election. \nThe volunteers in Lawrence County have retained counsel (Bangs McCullen Law Firm)  and planned to proceed with court challenge.  Litigation was filed and a court date is expected in March sometime\, but date is not yet set\, (as of  1/24/25) \nFor more info -Kevin Farmer at 605) 641-2595‬‬‬ cell\, visionsmf22@gmail.com\, \n“Save Centennial Valley Association”\, a nonprofit organization\, organized in 1975 is accepting donations to help pay for the legal fight. \nMail donations to support the campaign  against Ord.  24–05 to Checks payable to Save Centennial Valley Assoc.\, ℅ Kevin Farmer\, 11794 Crook City Rd.\, Whitewood SD. 57793 \nThis is relevant to mining as Lawrence county requires CUPs for sand/gravel and hard rock mining. These CUPs gives another layer of oversight and public involvement beyond DANRs oversight. \nWe don’t know how long the meeting will last\, but guessed it would take 2.5 hours. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/meeting-by-organizers-of-referendum-on-lawrence-county-zoning-changes/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250113T235000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250113T235900 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20241216T182654Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250113T150108Z UID:16130-1736812200-1736812740@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Public Comments Sought for "Fort Project" on Bearlodge Ranger District DESCRIPTION:     Sundance\, Wyo.\, — The Black Hills National Forest is proposing treatments on National Forest land eight miles northwest of Sundance\, WY\, and eight miles southeast of Huelett\, WY through commercial timber harvest\, small-tree thinning\, mastication\, tree planting\, watershed improvements\, and prescribed fire. \nThe Fort project area includes Blacktail Creek\, Lytle Creek\, Taylor Divide\, Hershey Creek\, and Beaver Creek. The Cook Lake recreation area is within the project boundary but is excluded from activities and analysis. \nThe proposal includes up to 7\,500 acres of commercial timber harvest. Harvest would be based on current stand conditions. Thinning reduces stand density to improve growth\, reduce fire hazard\, and enhance forest health. \nThinning of small pine trees (less than seven inches in diameter) is also proposed. Cut material that is not sold would be chipped\, burned\, or otherwise modified to reduce fire hazard. Thinning would reduce competition among trees and decrease crown fire potential by removing ladder fuels and increasing space between crowns. \nWatershed improvements are proposed to restore degraded watersheds and increase wildlife habitat. These include removal of pine encroachment\, construction of beaver dam analogs\, and stream crossing improvements. \nPrescribed broadcast burning is proposed throughout the project to diversify the understory species composition and reduce fuel loading. A detailed burn plan would be prepared prior to burning. \nLink to project documents – https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=67343 \nComments should be submitted within 30 days after publication of the legal notice of opportunity to comment in the Rapid City Journal. The notice was published on December 14\, 2024\, so comments are due Monday the 13th\, 2025. It is scoping so due date may be a little flexible.  The preferred method to submit comments is online and can be found on the project website at  https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=67343. Comments can also be submitted through the U.S. Mail: Fort Project\, Bearlodge Ranger District\, P.O. Box 680\, Sundance\, WY 82729. \n  \nCurrent \nFor questions on the proposed project\, please contact Patrick Champa\, Bearlodge District Ranger\, or Ryan Tallmadge\, Bearlodge Ranger District assistant resource planner\, at (307) 283-1361\, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.\, mountain daylight time. Ryan.Tallmadge@usda.gov\, Patrick Champa \n  \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/public-comments-sought-for-fort-project-on-bearlodge-ranger-district/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250114T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250114T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250113T035146Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250113T040225Z UID:16495-1736877600-1736884800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Training meeting about the SD Legislature - The 2025 Legislative Calendar DESCRIPTION:SD Advocacy Network for Women is hosting a series of webinars in January 2025 on how to engage with the legislature\nLegislative Essentials\,-\,All you need to know to increase your advocacy impact is at your fingertips in the three-part Legislative Essentials training series.  Each session is one hour long and begins at 7:00 PM Central and 6:00 PM Mountain.\nJanuary 14 – Legislative Essentials Part II    \nhttps://zoom.us/j/96826758216?pwd=vE44we8LXubwJegi9ldqnzTEdEc6qK.1 \nThe 2025 Legislative Calendar – – Presenter — Kitty Kinsman\, former Secretary\, SD Dept. of Health and public policy consultant. Understand how a bill becomes law in our state and review key dates in the upcoming legislative session. On 1/14/25 \nWe don’t know  how long the meeting will last\, so we have guessed at 2 hours. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/training-meeting-about-the-sd-legislature-the-2025-legislative-calendar/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250115T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250215T235900 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20241214T133656Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241214T133656Z UID:16105-1736899200-1739663940@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Climate Watch Winter Season Jan. 15th-February 15th DESCRIPTION:Climate Watch’s  Winter Season is Jan. 15th-February 15th. This is a National Audubon Society community science project where birders adopt a square and bird in it and send reports to the National Audubon Society. It is designed to collect data on climate change’s impacts to certain birds.  It happens twice a year in the winter and summer/spring.  To learn more visit: \nhttps://www.audubon.org/community-science/climate-watch URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/climate-watch-winter-season-jan-15th-february-15th/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250115T060000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250115T233000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250111T201824Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250125T001255Z UID:16377-1736920800-1736983800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:The date the National Audubon Society will announce rules for its' 2025 photography competition DESCRIPTION:This is the date the National Audubon Society will start and also will have announced its’ rules for its’ 2025 photography competition. \nThe contest is open to photography and video submissions From January 15th  until March 5\, 2025 at 12 p.m. (noon) U.S. Eastern Time; 11 a.m. CST; 10 a.m. MST; and 9 a.m. PST. Each entry costs $15.00 \nhttps://www.audubon.org/photoawards-entry \nThe rules for USA/Canada contestants: https://www.audubon.org/photography/awards/official-contest-rules \nThe prizes: https://www.audubon.org/photography/awards/contest-prizes \nView 2024 prize winning photos: https://www.audubon.org/magazine/2024-audubon-photography-awards-winners-and-honorable-mentions URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/the-date-the-national-audubon-society-will-announce-rules-for-its-2025-photography-competition/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250118T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250118T120000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250111T230455Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250111T230455Z UID:16412-1737194400-1737201600@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:March for Democracy\, Rapid City DESCRIPTION:March for Democracy\, \nJanuary 18th\, 10 am -12 am\, \nMeet at the Bandshell in Memorial Park off Fifth St and Omaha\, \nMarch begins at 10:15 am MT  – for about a 1 mile walk \nGuest Speakers TBA \nSigns are encouraged – promoters say:  “Stand for Something Rather Than Being Against Something” URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/march-for-democracy-rapid-city/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250123T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250123T203000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250112T224200Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250112T224548Z UID:16434-1737655200-1737664200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Sierra Club meeting on the 2025 legislative session and environmental bills DESCRIPTION:Sierra Club meeting on the 2025 legislative session and environmental bills \n  \nThe Black Hills Group of the South Dakota Sierra Club is hosting a program with Seth Tupper\, Editor in Chief of South Dakota Searchlight\, at 6 p.m.\, Thursday\, January 23\, 2025 at the Outdoor Campus West. Tupper will speak on environment topics in the legislature. The program is free and open to the public.  We don’t know how long the meeting will last\, but have guessed at 2.5 hours\n\nThere will be a link to watch the program via Zoom.  You need to contact the BHG of Sierra Club to get a copy of the Zoom Link.  We will also have a copy of the link. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sierra-club-meeting-on-the-2025-legislative-session-and-environmental-bills/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250125T100000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250125T120000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250123T165005Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250123T192845Z UID:16865-1737799200-1737806400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:March for Democracy\, Rapid City\, Rescheduled Date is Jan 25th 10 am-12 pm MT DESCRIPTION:March for Democracy Rescheduled Date is  Saturday Jan 25th \nThe March for Democracy\, scheduled for previous week was postponed due to weather. It will be held  Saturday\, Jan 25\, at 10am.  Meet at the Rapid City Memorial Park band shell at 10am. March begins at 10:15 am MT- approximately 1 mile walk. Signs encouraged\, – organizers suggest “Stand for something rather than being against something”.  Speakers on various topics at the Band Shell\, we assume after the walk returns to bandshell – but don’t know for sure. Event is supposed to end at noon. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/march-for-democracy-rapid-city-rescheduled-date-is-jan-25th-10-am-12-pm-mt/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250127T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250127T140000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250125T003545Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250128T002105Z UID:16964-1737979200-1737986400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Webinar on Keystone Effects of Prairie Dog Ecosystem on Grassland Birds DESCRIPTION:Webinar on Keystone Effects of Prairie Dog Ecosystem on Grassland Birds at 12 pm MST \nFor info on webinar: \nhttps://plainsconservation.org/keystone-effects-of-prairie-dogs-on-grassland-birds-current-knowledge-and-future-directions/ \n“Keystone species are central to the ecology and conservation of grassland birds. But although the role of fire and bison has been well-studied\, less is known about how prairie dogs affect grassland birds. In this talk\,  Andrew Dreelin will discuss his work conducting an extensive literature review on the ecological relationships between prairie dogs and grassland birds\, synthesizing what we know about the myriad ways prairie dogs influence the entire grassland bird community (not just Burrowing Owls). In addition\, he will identify what we don’t know and how we can fill these important knowledge gaps to inform conservation efforts for both imperiled groups. While we’ve learned quite a lot about the importance of this keystone species\, there’s much more to unravel…” \nThis meeting lasted about 45 minutes.  It was recorded and will be posted to the Great Plains Conservation Network’s Resources page about a week after the meeting. They have other previous webinars\, on other grassland topics\,  posted also: https://plainsconservation.org/resources/ URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/webinar-on-keystone-effects-of-prairie-dog-ecosystem-on-grassland-birds/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250129T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250129T210000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250115T215826Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250121T040715Z UID:16537-1738175400-1738184400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Prairie Hills Audubon Society January 29th\, members Zoom Meeting DESCRIPTION:Prairie Hills Audubon Society (PHAS) \nOur  members Zoom Meeting January  2025 \nWednesday\, January 29th\, 6:30 pm MT \nJoshua Lefers and other Audubon Great Plains  staff will be talking about National Audubon Society’s programs in SD\, ND and NE.  The Audubon Great Plains staff will update us on National Audubon Society’s  (NAS)  “working lands” program and  National Audubon Society’s outreach efforts across SD\, ND\, and NE.   They will provide an update on NAS “Flight Plan”\, which is the National Audubon Society’s most recent Strategic Plan which can be viewed at https://www.audubon.org/about/welcome-flight-plan  and the regional efforts to align with and contribute to the outcomes prioritized in that [NAS) strategic plan. \nWe don’t know how long the meeting will last\, but we don’t run meetings longer than 9 pm \nMore details might be posted later \n=========================== \nJoin Zoom Meeting \nMeeting URL: https://audubon.zoom.us/j/99297959712?pwd=DgYoxlbmmvadQXhhBG6M9Iv6bDbQX9.1 \nMeeting ID: 992 9795 9712 \nPasscode: 318194 \n—————— \nOne tap mobile: US: +12532158782\,\,99297959712#\,\,\,\,*318194# \nor +13462487799\,\,99297959712#\,\,\,\,*318194# \nJoin by Telephone \nFor higher quality\, dial a number based on your current location. \nDial: +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 518 9805 US (New York) +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) \n Meeting ID: 992 9795 9712 Passcode: 318194 \nInternational numbers Join from an H.323/SIP room system H.323: 144.195.19.161 (US West) 206.247.11.121 (US East) 115.114.131.7 (India Mumbai) 115.114.115.7 (India Hyderabad) 159.124.15.191 (Amsterdam Netherlands) 159.124.47.249 (Germany) 159.124.104.213 (Australia Sydney) 159.124.74.212 (Australia Melbourne) 170.114.180.219 (Singapore) 64.211.144.160 (Brazil) 159.124.132.243 (Mexico) 159.124.168.213 (Canada Toronto) 159.124.196.25 (Canada Vancouver) 170.114.194.163 (Japan Tokyo) 147.124.100.25 (Japan Osaka) \nMeeting ID: 992 9795 9712 Passcode: 318194 \nSIP: 99297959712@zoomcrc.com Passcode: 318194 URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/prairie-hills-audubon-society-january-29th-members-zoom-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250214T000000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250217T235900 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20241214T134404Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241214T185238Z UID:16108-1739491200-1739836740@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Great Backyard Bird Count 2025\, Feb. 14th-17th\, 2025 DESCRIPTION:Great Backyard Bird Count 2025\, Feb. 14th-17th\, 2025.  Watch birds for 15 minutes or more\, at least once over the four days\, February 14–17\, 2025. \nIdentify all the birds you see or hear within your planned time/location and use the best tool for sharing your bird sightings\, which can be done digitally. \nFor details visit: https://www.birdcount.org/ \nThere are some community birding events associated with GBYBC but none that we know of yet in SD  – https://www.birdcount.org/community-map/ \n  \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/great-backyard-bird-count-2025-feb-14th-17th-2025/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250215T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250215T163000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250108T134624Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250124T041723Z UID:16198-1739628000-1739637000@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Piedmont (Foothills Area) Legislative Cracker Barrel 2/15/25 DESCRIPTION:Piedmont (Foothills Area) Legislative Cracker Barrel will be Saturday\, February 15th\, 2025 from 2:00 to 4:30 pm. \nIt will be a hybrid meeting and a Zoom link offered. \nThis event is co-sponsored by Prairie Hills Audubon Society\, Rapid City Chapter of Dakota Rural Action and the Piedmont Valley American Legion Post 311. \nLegislators from District 33 and 29 are invited and all 6 say they will come. It is at the American Legion Post 311 building at 101 Pine St at the corner of it’s  Sturgis Rd intersection on south east side of Piedmont \nZoom Option: Register in advance to attend meeting by Zoom:\nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/c7qES-tjTq2_J37AT9Mgtw \nAfter registering\, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Legislators from Districts 33 and 29 are invited and all six are expected. \n What is a Cracker Barrel? – It’s a moderated question and answer session where the public can ask their elected representative questions about the legislature. The agenda will have two one-hour segments with a 20-25 minute break (with snacks) in the middle. Bob Burns will moderate.  \nCome join us and find out what’s happening in Pierre\, meet the representatives and some of Foothills Area neighbors. The invited legislators are those who represent the towns of Southern Meade County: Black Hawk\, Summerset\, Piedmont and Box Elder\, as well as other parts of Pennington County and Meade County.  \nPrairie Hills Audubon Society maintains a legislative cracker barrel list on another web page. https://phas-wsd.org/sd-legislative-cracker-barrels-2022/We also have 2 other web pages on the legislative session generic legislative functions & bill tracking  : .https://phas-wsd.org/sd-legislature/    :  https://phas-wsd.org/phas-bill-tracking-for-sd-legislature/ URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/piedmont-foothills-area-legislative-cracker-barrel/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250220T175000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250220T203000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250213T141737Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250213T141737Z UID:17298-1740073800-1740083400@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Norbeck Society meeting on “Providing for Birds & Conserving Biodiversity.” Australian speaker DESCRIPTION:Norbeck Society meeting – topic: “ Providing for Birds & Conserving Biodiversity” \non Thursday 2/20/25\, 5:50 pm MT \nJayden Gunn\, Central NSW Woodland Birds Project Coordinator\, BirdLife Australia will  gives the talk \n  \nThis is a hybrid meeting: in person or zoom (link below)! \nPlease join the Norbeck Society for an evening with Jayden Gunn to enjoy his amazing photographs of Australian birds and learn about his conservation projects. \nJayden has worked as an environmental management professional for over 10 years with experience in Landcare and conservation across Eastern Australia. \nHe is Project Coordinator for Central NSW Woodland Birds\, BirdLife Australia where he works full time coordinating landscape scale threatened species conservation projects for a variety of woodland bird species on private and public lands. \nJayden holds a place on the board of Intrepid Landcare where he strives to improve national youth engagement and engagement in conservation\, he also Deputy chairs the Kanangra-Boyd to Wyangala Link (K2W) partnership and K2W Glideways programs who work in connecting and preserving vital ecosystems within the Great Eastern Ranges. \nJayden\, while passionate about all things conservation\, specializes in avian ecology and conservation with a particular passion for Australia’s Calyptorhynchus species. \nFrom Australia\, Jayden will join the Norbeck Society at the SDGF&P Outdoor Campus\, Rapid City via Zoom. \nThe meeting will begin at 5:50 pm MT\,  with a brief update of the Norbeck Society’s activities & upcoming events\, followed by the main presentation. \nPublic meeting ~ everyone is welcome ~ light refreshments available! \nCan’t make it in person? \nJoin the meeting on Zoom: \nhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/88173621695?pwd=eVlRZ3lSQ1BhUzVGUmN3akE0bTJ4QT09 \nPlease email info@norbecksociety.com for more information. \nWe don’t know how long the meeting will last but have guessed at about 2.5 hours URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/norbeck-society-meeting-on-providing-for-birds-conserving-biodiversity-australian-speaker/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250220T235000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250220T235900 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250203T055425Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250203T060050Z UID:17077-1740095400-1740095940@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline for Comments on the North Sand Vegetation Management Preliminary EA - BHNF DESCRIPTION:Deadline for Comments on the North Sand Vegetation Management Preliminary EA – BHNF – 2/20/25 \nThis is located six to ten miles south of Beulah\, Wyoming. It is north of the Sand Creek Roadless Area in the Bearlodge Ranger District. \nFor more information: \n https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=65540 \nAdditional informa-tion regarding this proposedaction can be obtained fromElizabeth Krueger\, ResourcePlanner\, at (307) 283-1361 orby e-mail at elizabeth.krueger@usda.gov \nTo comment on the project digitally: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=65540 URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-for-comments-on-the-north-sand-vegetation-management-preliminary-ea-bhnf/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250220T235000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250220T235900 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250203T064015Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250203T134632Z UID:17088-1740095400-1740095940@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Scoping Comment Deadline Sawbuck Forest Management Project- BHNF - 2/20/25 DESCRIPTION:Scoping Comment Deadline Sawbuck Forest Management Project- BHNF – 2/20/25 \nThe Sawbuck Forest Management Project area lies approximately 13 miles west of Hill City\, South Dakota. \nThe proposed vegetation management surrounds Pe’ Sla.   The FS is  proposing conifer thinning\, timber stand improvement\, prescribed fire\, planting efforts\, as well as enhancements to watersheds\, riparian areas\, and wildlife habitats. \nFor more information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/blackhills/?project=67518 \nFor information\, you may contact Jim Gubbels\, Mystic District Ranger\, or Thawney\nStottler\, Mystic Ranger District resource planner\, at (605) 343-1567. \nYou may comment via the project website\, via telephone (above) or fax (605) 343-7134\, or through the U.S. mail: URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/comment-deadline-sawbuck-forest-management-project-bhnf-2-20-25/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250302T105000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250302T225900 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250123T194010Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250227T124259Z UID:16874-1740912600-1740956340@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Written Comment Deadline SD GFP Commission's March meeting DESCRIPTION:The written comment deadline  for the SD GFP Commission’s March meeting is the Sunday night before the Thursday meeting> Comments are due just before midnight CT. \nThe  web site to post comments to is: https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. \nThey have a rule change proposal to expand access by hound hunters of mountain lions to public lands on the prairie.  Under the status quo the hound hunters can only access certain public lands if chasing the cougar from a hunt begun on private land. With the rule change they can start hunt on public lands\, as long as the public lands allow hunting. PHAS opposes this rule change.  Go our March 6 Calendar date for more information.https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-commission-meeting-pierre-sd-and-zoom/ \n==================== \nUnless you want to communicate directly with each Commissioner  (those comments will not be in the public record)–  https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/members/  (there is no deadline). You can see phones and home address at this link.  Here are likely e-mails for them. \n“Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us” \, “Jon.Locken@state.sd.us” \,  “Travis.Bies@state.sd.us” \, “Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us” \, “Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us”   \nThe three new commissioners  e-mails likely are: \nJim.White@state.sd.us\, \, Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us\, Travis.Theel@state.sd.us\, \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/written-comment-deadline-sd-gfp-commissions-march-meeting/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250305T165900 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250305T170000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250115T223049Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250115T223049Z UID:16549-1741193940-1741194000@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Deadline to submit comments to NAS 2025 Photo contest DESCRIPTION:National Audubon Society has a photography contest every spring\, which entry period normally starts some time in January. In 2025 it starts on January 15th\, 2025 and may ends March 5th.. https://www.audubon.org/photography/awards/official-contest-rules \nMail entries must be postmarked on March 5th\, 2025. Entries submitted on-line must be received by 10 am MST \n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/deadline-to-submit-comments-to-nas-2025-photo-contest/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250306T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250307T110000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250123T193500Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250321T170124Z UID:16870-1741262400-1741345200@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:SD Game\, Fish and Parks Commission meeting\, Pierre\, SD and Zoom DESCRIPTION:SD Game\, Fish and Parks Commission meeting\, Pierre\, SD and Zoom\, March 6-7  The meeting started at 1:00 pm CT on Thursday and was supposed to have ended by 12 pm CT on Friday. \nThe Agenda was published on the GFP Commission “Current Meeting Overview” web page a few days before the meeting  and will remain up there until they post April meeting info.: https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/information/ \n A proposal to increase access for hound hunters of mountain lions to prairie unit public land was orinally  be up for a finalization review and vote in March but they continued it to April meeting. .  Right now\, the hound hunters can only go to certain public lands in the prairie\, if hunt starts on private land and moves to public land. With the change that is proposed\, they can start a hunt on private or public land. Prairie Hills Audubon Society opposes this rule change. \nThe proposal was amended on 3/6/25 to cross of section 10 of the rule – Modify the rule § 41:06:61:06 to exclude section listing some public land areas that are closed to hunting\, i.e.:  Wind Cave National Park\, Jewel Cave National Park\, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial.  We think this is a “clean up” amendment\, as with the expansion of lion hunting to public land in the prairie unit\, they would need to list other parks and monuments\, that don’t allow hunting – such as Badlands National Park\, Minuteman Missile Silo National Historic Site & some areas of Missouri National Recreational River.  What federal lands are open to various types of hunting can be complex.  In discussion\, they say folks need permission of land owner to hunt\, but it doesn’t say that in the rule – but I suspect it is assumed hunters are supposed to know that. The finalization was continued until April 3rd\, 2025 meeting of the Commission \nJanuary version #1: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Mt-Lion-proposal.-Commission_Book_-_January_9-10_2024.pdf \nMarch  version 2 – I have posted the new Mt lion hunting season rule change proposal  with new amendment added: \nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/MountainLLionP-March_2025_Commission_Book-2.pdf\n\nOppose hound hunting of mountain lion\, especially on public land. Talking points against hound hunting – https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/Hound-hunting-objections.pdf \nVisit our cougar alert page for information on SDGFP cougar management.  https://phas-wsd.org/cougar-alert/ \nThere was a public hearing & open forum on Thursday at 2 pm CT – testify in person and remotely on Zoom . Written comments were due\,  the Sunday (3/2/25) before the Thursday\, before midnight CT.  The is a web site to post comments to is: https://gfp.sd.gov/forms/positions/. \nIf your written comments are late\, they are shared with Commission for the next Commission meeting. \nUnless you want to communicate directly with each Commissioner  (those comments will not be in the public record)–  https://gfp.sd.gov/commission/members/  (no deadline). You can see phones and home address at this link.  Here are likely e-mails for them. \n“Stephanie.Rissler@state.sd.us” \, “Jon.Locken@state.sd.us” \,  “Travis.Bies@state.sd.us” \, “Robert.Whitmyre@state.sd.us” \, “Julie.Bartling@state.sd.us”   \nThe three new commissioners  e-mails likely are: – Jim.White@state.sd.us\, \, Bruce.Cull@state.sd.us\, Travis.Theel@state.sd.us\, \nAt the hearing they reviewed a rule change proposal to have a season for Jack rabbits\, instead of 365 days of unlimited harvest.  The Commission rejected the proposal \nIssues we are concerned about \n1.  Allowing hound hunting of lions on the prairie unit to originate on public and private land\, with consent of owner. This would be a change from status quo which allows hound hunting on private land and  only on public land if the chase moves  from private to public land.  We oppose this rule change and urge folks to write or testify in opposition to this\, as it has been continued to April 3rd meeting. The public comment tally>>> Of written comments on this issue – 39 opposed it \, 20 supported it. Link to public comments – mt lion public comments (39 oppose\, 20 support ) https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/mt-lion-only-PC-from-March_2025_Commission_Book-4-3.pdf  At the hearing 2 folks testified against it. Go to our web site on Mt Lions for talking points.. \n2. Allowing a rocky mountain sheep to be shot in the Deadwood unit – concern is that population is too low to support killing one sheep.  We are investigating this rule change and will likely oppose the harvest limit at Deadwood population.There were many public comments on this issue. Here is the proposal – https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/BHS-from-March_2025_Commission_Book-2.pdf \n3. Allow the SDGFP the hunting area of the west river prairie elk season  to be increased to overlap west river Reservations\, so Caucasians can hunt elk on private land in-holdings within the reservations.  The tribes oppose this. At the public hearing on 3/6/25 representatives from Lower Brule Sioux Tribe\, Rosebud Sioux Tribe\, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and Oglala Sioux Tribes spoke against the rule change. We are investigating this rule change. \n\nPrairie elk season rule change proposal:\nhttps://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/PrairieElkMarch_2025_Commission_Book-3.pdf\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTRIBAL CONCERNS ON PRAIRIE ELK SEASON\n\nNew proposed prairie elk season would extend the area hunting is allowed with GFP license to within boundaries of  the Lakota reservations west river. Elk are culturally important to Lakota – it is a symbol of strength\, endurance\, and patience. Elk meat is worth a lot of money – there are lots of  meat in an Elk.  and SDGFP charges  $121-$209 dollars for an elk license. Here is the fall 2024 rule change proposal for raising GFP’s hunting/fishing fees: https://phas-wsd.org/wp-content/uploads/FinalzizationFee-gfp.Book_.CommSept.5_9_24.pdf  Getting  an elk hunting license  from SDGFP is very competitive/limited.\n\n With the change Tribes are afraid too many of their elk would be shot by Caucasians at the Caucasian owned deeded lands that exist as in-holdings on the reservation and  also that Caucasian hunters would go hunt on the reservation in violation of tribal hunting laws (without a tribal license)\, perhaps embolden by the belief that tribes can’t prosecute Caucasians for criminal violations\, I need to research this and learn more about tribal legal leverage  over Caucasian hunters\, which may rest in federal courts. SDGFP went ahead with publishing the proposed change without consulting all the tribes first in violation of the MOUs they have with those tribes.  Conversely local Caucasian ranchers think they should be able to shoot elk eating grass on their ranches with GFP license and complained to SDGFP\, who is now trying to address their complaints.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/sd-game-fish-and-parks-commission-meeting-pierre-sd-and-zoom/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20250307T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20250307T170000 DTSTAMP:20260418T040608 CREATED:20250203T060835Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250320T165134Z UID:17083-1741334400-1741366800@phas-wsd.org SUMMARY:Black Hills Area Botany and Ecology Workshop - March 7\, 2025 DESCRIPTION: March 7:  Black Hills Area Botany and Ecology Workshop 2025. \nHere is the link to watch the recordings of the event – https://tnc.zoom.us/rec/play/iZvXHZFpbiknY_sI6ZWP1EVQf9K_hR5CMVGVfh1_Ak4O_NdQahModF1P-07rS7yLPnqvj_iSZveyKN6B._SVQyuFFP7AbBstS?accessLevel=meeting&canPlayFromShare=true&from=share_recording_detail&continueMode=true&componentName=rec-play&originRequestUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ftnc.zoom.us%2Frec%2Fshare%2FKJiRJyEgdcGdN4PQe1Mjr9zgMaNYQSZHxZ6KdIjxKN33qwj1wzaFDswvDXmp8H1n.6RU4L4fndLBKt2G0 \nDraft schedule: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Sj4xAW2zq1fA8YKma_Y2Ga4IGYJ42Lf7/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=108837412589411517394&rtpof=true&sd=true \nThe workshop took place on-site at The Outdoor Campus – West\, 4130 Adventure Trail\, Rapid City\, SD\, and on-line via Zoom\, \nPlease register at this link\, whether you will attend in person or by Zoom – by February 20th (free) : https://tnc.zoom.us/meeting/register/NHd8PH4yS7OD_Gp-Qb0dTA \nWe are not sure of the exact start and end time for the event\, so have guessed at 8 am – 5 pm. We assume exact start/end times will be released later. URL:https://phas-wsd.org/event/black-hills-area-botany-and-ecology-workshop-march-7-2025/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR