South Dakota

Columbus Zoo's The Wilds relocates bison to South Dakota

Published

3 months ago

July 10, 2024

Columbus Zoo's The Wilds relocates bison to South Dakota

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced that the Wilds, the Wildlife Restoration Foundation and the InterTribal Buffalo Council have successfully relocated 74 bison to the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota.

The bison were previously in The Wilds’ conservation center. The relocation is part of The Wilds’ new bison conservation plans in hopes of improving the population.

What You Need To Know

Prairies used to span more than 142 million acres in the U.S., but are now one of the most endangered, as there are less than 5% of the ecosystem remaining

Bison graze those lands, adding nutrients back into the soil and help created shallow wetlands that help amphibians and birds, plant species and more

Bison are now near extinct because of over-hunting and westward expansion

“The transfer of these bison is a crucial step in our mission to restore this keystone species to its native range while respecting the profound cultural connections many tribes and communities have with the bison,” said Vice President at The Wilds Joe Smith in a release. “This collaborative effort underscores the vital importance of bison in maintaining the health of prairie ecosystems and in supporting cultural heritage.”

The Columbus Zoo wrote in a release that the American bison are critical for the health and diversity of prairie ecosystems. Prairies used to span more than 142 million acres in the U.S., but are now one of the most endangered, as there are less than 5% of the ecosystem remaining. Bison graze those lands, adding nutrients back into the soil and help created shallow wetlands that help amphibians and birds, plant species and more.

Bison are now near extinct because of over-hunting and westward expansion. While they are pivotal for prairie lands, they also play a role in the lives of Tribal nations across the Great Plains, which use bison for food, shelter, clothing, spiritual rituals and more, according to the Columbus Zoo.

The Wilds and its partners are working to transition a herd of around 150 bison on 600 acres into a prototype conservation herd, which is managed by a zoological institution, according to the Columbus Zoo. To achieve this, The Wilds is taking the following steps:

Maintaining the natural herd structures and behaviors
Ensuring genetic diversity and quality
Implementing advanced herd management and health strategies
Restoring native grasslands
Enhancing public education and guest experiences

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South Dakota

Rapid City welcomes South Dakota’s largest healthcare convention

Published

6 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

Rapid City welcomes South Dakota’s largest healthcare convention

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Healthcare workers make up a large percent of employees in South Dakota, and more than 500 of those workers made their way to The Monument for the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations’ (SDAHO) 98th annual convention on Thursday.

SDAHO represents all 54 non-profit hospitals in South Dakota, 46 long-term care facilities, home health, assisted living facilities and more. The organization’s staff is divided into five areas: Advocacy and Member Relations, Acute & Post-Acute Services, Education, Business Development, and Quality Integration, all of which are touched on at the convention.

The event kicked off Thursday morning with a keynote speech from Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans who told her story of injuries while serving and tied her experience to the healthcare community.

The day continued with breakout sessions that covered topics ranging from leadership for administrators to insurance challenges that could come up. Everything wrapped up with the exhibitor social.

Tim Rave, President and CEO of SDAHO, said the convention provides invaluable networking opportunities and education for all attendees.

“We have national speakers, I think people always kinda assume that with conferences, but we have such a vast array of knowledge within our state in the health care arena. We bring in local speakers, state speakers, and so it’s peers kinda interacting with peers and giving best practices and why that’s important and the things they’re doing and so yeah, just really exciting,” Rave said.

Rave added that the convention allows hardworking providers to take a break and get out of their everyday work routine.

The convention will head back to Sioux Falls for the next two years, but will be back in Rapid City in 2027.

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South Dakota

Obituary for Don "Donnie" Curtis at Will Funeral Chapel

Published

14 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

Obituary for Don "Donnie" Curtis at Will Funeral Chapel

Don Donnie Curtis, age 61, died at the Dougherty Hospice Home, Sioux Falls, on September 22, 2024, after a nine month, courageous battle of metastatic prostate cancer. Funeral services will be 1030 AM Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at the Sherman Center on DWU Campus with burial at the Niles Rocky

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South Dakota

KOTA Cares: Western South Dakota Community Action brings aid to those in poverty

Published

1 day ago

September 26, 2024

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KOTA Cares: Western South Dakota Community Action brings aid to those in poverty

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – This week we are highlighting Western South Dakota Community Action as part of our KOTA Cares series. The non-profit will be celebrating 60 years in 2025 and does it all when it comes to helping people move out of poverty.

The organization originally began to help the Rapid City area but currently serves 15 counties including Butte, Harding, Meade and Ziebach.

They have numerous programs from helping with transportation, employment, housing, basic needs to Medicare and other insurance plans and more.

They also have a thrift store that receives donations nearly every day from community members. The organization’s executive director, Shawn Burke, said they keep prices low so the people they serve can buy items for themselves.

Their programs include educational opportunities like their garden.

”We want to grow things that people can grow for themselves, that they can learn to cook or process or freeze or can and add to other food they might get, either charitable food or purchased food. Be able to get more nutritious food with a higher nutritional value,” Burke said.

If you are interested in donating your time or money to the organization, you can find more information on their website.

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