Our Commitment to Preserving South Dakota's Wide Open Spaces
At Land & Legacy, our home holds a special place in our hearts. For us, home is South Dakota: The Rushmore State, situated in the heart of America's Midwest. We are dedicated to preserving the natural flora and fauna of South Dakota, and we are honored that you have decided to join us in learning more about our state.
Join Land & Legacy in preserving our great state
South Dakota's Incredible History
Close your eyes and imagine for a moment... vast plains thick with grass, waving in the wind. Herds of American bison graze lazily on the prairie, the sun shimmering on their rich, brown coats. Overhead, a flock of ducks glides by, on their way to South Dakota's depressional wetlands, where "prairie potholes" serve as miniature oases for waterfowl.
On the ground, a cluster of purple pasque flowers soak up the summer sunlight. The grass rustles as a family of ring-necked pheasants cuts through the undergrowth, the rooster's tail cocked proudly at nearly three feet in length. Come nightfall, the coyotes and the deer will have the run of the land, racing through the verdant plains and feasting on the prairie's rich provisions of plant life.
This is South Dakota as it once was: wild, untouched, thriving. Plants bloomed and animals multiplied throughout the state, claiming the land as their own. South Dakota boasts incredible natural biodiversity, with flora and fauna that support each other's wellbeing when left to spread and reproduce. From the mountains in the west to the plains in the east, South Dakota's unique ecosystem is evocative of the American West in its prime.
Our Mission becomes more IMportant Every Day
Threats to South Dakota's Ecosystem
South Dakota's incredible natural environment is at risk. While our state is home to numerous native plant and animal species, the populations of these species is faltering in many cases. From the grey wolf (canis lupus) to the pasque flower (pulsatilla), South Dakota's hallmark inhabitants are struggling to hold on.
For instance, take the case of the American bison. While herds of this regal ungulate were once found across South Dakota's plains, their territory has been reduced to small tracts of land scattered across the state. In fact, there are no free-ranging bison herds remaining in South Dakota. The American bison, North America's largest land mammal, is now reliant on conservation efforts and care as part of semi-wild herds in Custer State Park, on Tribal Lands, and in Badlands National Park.
How did it happen? Heavy hunting pressure, increasing population, and poor land management – in short. But today doesn't need to be the end of the story for the American bison, or for any other of South Dakota's numerous endangered species. And that's where Land & Legacy comes into play.
Through our mission of conserving South Dakota's land for the benefit of wildlife preservation and enjoyment for future generations, we are striving to change the conversation. One day, we hope that South Dakota's native flora and fauna will be able to rebound to their former glory... but it won't be possible without hard work and dedication.