Improving South Dakota's grasslands

We partner with farmers and ranchers to conserve and expand healthy habitat for pheasants and other wildlife.
father and son hunters in field

From the Pheasant Capital of the WorldYour partner in conservation

Formed in 2018 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Second Century Habitat Fund partners with producers and landowners to conserve and expand healthy habitat for pheasants and other wildlife habitat, expand public hunting opportunities, and transform non-producing and low-yield lands in ways that provide a long-term environmental benefit.

Our Programs

Hear from acurrent landowner

Karen's great grandpa homesteaded a half mile west of here in 1880. We moved here from Bennett County in 1991 and bought the neighboring farm. We then rented five quarters family land and five more quarters to create Kopriva Angus.

Much of the pastureland has been aerial sprayed with 2-4d or Dycamba every ten years or so, which did control weeds, but it also eliminated the desirable native forbs, so that segment of the prairie population is missing.  This Second Century seeding program will re-establish native and other non-bloating legumes back into the population.  This will improve habitat for wildlife and increase carrying capacity.

Jim Kopriva • Landowner

Our missionTo be advocates of habitat stewardship, collaborate with community partners, and be conservation leaders to benefit all of South Dakota.

Protecting Habitats, Preserving WildlifeOur Programs

In partnership with South Dakota Game & Fish and other conservation partners, we have identified two primary target programs to enhance South Dakota’s habitat, and clean water.

natural grass field

Working Lands Habitat Program

The focus of this program is to enroll marginal cropland such as saline and moist soils, field edges, other less productive soil types or areas producers want to manage as wildlife habitat for 5 years.

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river banks

Big Sioux River Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program

A program to improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, enhance wildlife habitat, and create public hunting and fishing access.

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Preserving South DakotaWhy conservation matters

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Each year, producers generate $10+ BILLION in ag-related revenue
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$14.4 MILLION generated by visitors to South Dakota for agritourism in 2022
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Agriculture & Tourism are key factors in South Dakota’s growing economy
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Over 1 million pheasant roosters harvested annually

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Our Partners

SD Game Fish Parks logo
pheasants forever logo
ducks unlimited logo
USDA logo
SDSU logo
milborn seeds

join our missionTake Action for Wildlife

We can’t create more land, but by investing in habitat we can make a difference for all South Dakotan’s. Our need to raise financial support is stronger than ever.

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