Fostering Love of the Land
Living Our Motto: Conservation Through Education
At Land & Legacy, we firmly believe that a love of the land changes everything. When we appreciate and care for our natural spaces, the desire to protect them for future generations is a no-brainer. And it all begins with education. Find out more about the plants and animals of South Dakota that we are striving to prot
Learn More about South Dakota's Native Animals
Our Unique Biome
Home to a wide variety of wildlife, South Dakota is a prime location for conservation efforts. Major migratory bird routes run straight through the middle of our state, making it a prime location for hunters and birders as well. Ring-necked pheasants and majestic bald eagles can be seen year-round. You might also glimpse badgers, beavers, and prairie dogs running around, making burrows, dams, and underground towns. Herds of buffalo, deer, goats, and antelope roam South Dakota's grasslands and hills. But without protected land and ethical hunting practices, our state's robust plant and animal life will dwindle and fade away.
Ring-Necked Pheasants
While pheasants are not native to South Dakota, they have become an emblem of our state. Pheasants were brought to North America from Asia back in the 1880s. South Dakota was prime habitat for these birds due to wide expanses of prairies and grasslands, and now the state has become one of the top destinations for pheasant hunting in the country. Male roosters are known for their long tail feathers and stunning bright colors on their necks and heads. Even if you aren’t here for hunting you will likely spot a pheasant flying out of a field or sitting on the edge of a field.
American Bison
American Bison have roamed the Great Plains since long before settlers arrived in the area. By the end of the nineteenth century, less than 1,000 bison remained in the wild. Since then, conservation efforts have been put in place and the population of wild buffalo is starting to increase. Bison are truly stunning animals with their dark shaggy coat, enormous head and shoulders, and can grow upwards of 3,000 pounds. If you come across a bison on your trip to South Dakota, maintain a safe distance and don’t disrupt the fluffy cows.
Prairie Dogs
When you’re driving through South Dakota you may have noticed areas of land filled with holes, and if you look closely you may see a tiny head sticking up out of those holes. This is what is called a Prairie Dog town and they are extremely common throughout South Dakota. Prairie Dogs are part of the squirrel family and they live in large underground colonies. Prairie Dogs can be hunted and trapped in the state.
Pronghorns (Antelope)
Pronghorns, more commonly referred to as antelope, exist in most counties west of the Missouri River. The rolling terrain allows good visibility for the antelope as well as a variety of plant species to forage. You may also be able to spot antelope in agricultural lands, specifically wheat and alfalfa fields. Keep your eyes peeled because antelope are the fastest land animal in North America, and can run 60 mph! A 2-day-old fawn can outrun a grown man, and at 4 days old they can outrun a horse. South Dakota does have designated archery and firearms season for antelope.
Coyotes
Coyotes are native to South Dakota and prefer living in areas with tall grass, wooded areas, and near water. Coyotes are difficult to spot as they are most active during the night and rest during the day. Even if you aren’t able to find a coyote, you may hear them howling at night. Coyotes have a varied diet but particularly eat small mammals. Coyotes aid in controlling the population of various critters, but can pose an issue to farmers and ranchers when they attack their livestock. In 1949 the Coyote was named the state animal of South Dakota.
Elk
Elk is one of the largest species in the deer family and one of the largest mammals in North America. Elks have a shoulder height of 4 feet and can reach up to 8 feet in length. Male elk have antlers that they shed each year. A male elk’s antlers can grow 2.5 centimeters each day! Elk hunting in South Dakota is extremely popular, but also highly competitive. Only South Dakota residents can apply for an elk license and a very limited number of licenses are given out each year. Currently there are over 6,000 wild elk in South Dakota.
Walleye
South Dakota’s Missouri River is famous for walleye fishing. It is a staple fish at restaurants and a favorite catch for most anglers on the Missouri. Many fishing guides are experts in catching trophy-winning walleye. They are widely stocked at fisheries and can be caught throughout the state.
Catfish
There are many areas in the Missouri for catfish to thrive; they prefer warmer waters and avoid fast currents. Catfish have extremely sharp barbs and fins that can easily cut through skin, and some are actually poisonous so they should be handled with care. The Missouri boasts record-breaking catfish, some weighing over 100 pounds!
Learn More about South Dakota's Native Plants
Native Plant Species
South Dakota's native plans are well-adapted to the local climate. They help conserve water, reduce maintenance needs, and provide habitat for local wildlife. Whether you are looking for the perfect plants for your garden or simply exploring the native flora of South Dakota, you are in the right place to learn.
Bur Oak
Bur oak is a large deciduous tree with a massive trunk and broad, rounded crown. It can be distinguished from the closely related white oak by its corky, deeply furrowed bark, its glossy green, deeply lobed leaves, and the acorn cups that enclose at least half of the acorn and have a distinctive fringe of bracts around the margin. Bur oak has a large range that includes essentially all of the midwestern U.S. and adjacent Canada and that stretches north into southern Manitoba, west to the Black Hills of South Dakota and south through eastern Texas to the Gulf Coast.
Prairie Coneflower
Ratibida columnifera, or prairie coneflower, grows well on loam, sandy loam, and clayey loam soils. It prefers a sunny position and well-drained rich soil types. This species is tolerant of weakly acidic to moderately alkaline soils and weak saline soils. It has low to moderate water requirements. Prairie coneflower is found on dry plains, prairies, waste ground, and along roadsides and railroads.
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta, commonly called black-eyed Susan, is a North American flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to Eastern and Central North America and naturalized in the Western part of the continent as well as in China. You can find it across the state of South Dakota.
Pasque Flower
A member of the Buttercup family, the tundra-loving Pasque is a small solitary bell-shaped flower with gorgeous blue to reddish purple colors, bearing plumed seed heads and golden stamens. It has handsome seed clusters that look like feathery, smoky gray pompoms. The blooming period of Pasque is from April to May, lasting for two weeks. As soon as it blooms, it signals the start of spring to South Dakotans and lights up the landscape from Mount Vernon to Sioux City.
Prairie Dropseed
Prairie dropseed is a native perennial bunch grass that forms dense clumps of fine, light green, arching leaves. The leaf blades are about 16 inches long and only about ⅛ inch wide; they commonly have the margins rolled inward but may also be flat or folded. The leaves often arch gracefully outward from the clump. The seed heads are airy, open, branching clusters bearing small, ovate spikelets (which each contain only a single floret), each on their own individual branchlets. Each spikelet is about ⅛–¼ inch long. Flower heads develop August–October.
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium, commonly known as little bluestem or beard grass, is a species of North American prairie grass native to most of the contiguous United States as well as a small area north of the Canada–US border and northern Mexico. It gives food, shelter, and nesting material to wildlife and attracts birds and pollinators.
Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana, also known as eastern red cedar, red cedar, Virginian juniper, eastern juniper, red juniper, and other local names, is a species of juniper native to eastern North America from southeastern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and east of the Great Plains.