How playful otters inspired expansion of city’s Big Sioux Stewardship Summit

This paid event listing is sponsored by South Dakota State University.

Sometimes it takes the story of a cute, endangered critter to spur people’s interest in the health of their river and surrounding environment.

Photos via Friends of the Big Sioux River

The North American river otter’s Big Sioux River revival story will be front and center for a reimagined city of Sioux Falls Big Sioux Stewardship Summit, April 16-17. It aims to pique more citizen interest in improving our natural surroundings through tours and unique presentations.

Nature videographer Kevin Kjergaard will be among those sharing his story about the otters. He has spent countless hours tracking the animals and sharing their childlike play in video stories, one which aired on “CBS Sunday Morning.”

Kjergaard, chief photographer at KELOLAND TV, said the otters, which vanished from South Dakota a century ago, are back and driving strong human interest in the river’s health.

Here’s a recent story the news station did on the topic.

Mayor Paul TenHaken said it’s an example of how the public, even in the heart of Sioux Falls, wants to be engaged in improving our natural environment.

The mayor asked South Dakota State University to help Sioux Falls make the summit more accessible to citizens.

“Our environmental team has done a remarkable job for years in serving engineers and developers at this summit, but I want it to also inspire regular citizens to take the small steps to improve our surroundings,” he said.

Thanks to sponsors, all tours, presentations and lunches will be free. However, participants must preregister on the city’s website.

Tours

Wednesday, April 16, tours are limited to 40 people per bus and begin and end outside the Canaries Stadium and focus on two tracks. Both tracks are available from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m., so participants can do both tours.

Urban Tour Track

• Water Reclamation Facility
• Water Purification Plant
• E-Coli filter
• Millennium Recycling

Rural Tour Track

• Boadwine Dairy’s sustainability practices
• Big Sioux River Project — watershed improvements
• Cherry Rock Farms — farm-to-table practices
• Pasque Hill Ranch

Keynotes

Several keynote speakers will present on Thursday, April 17, at the Holiday Inn City Centre.

• Mayor Paul TenHaken kicks off the summit with the “10 Things Homeowners Need To Know To Improve Sioux Falls.”
• SDSU President Barry Dunn offers a keynote sharing the land ethics he inherited from his family’s Rosebud Indian Reservation ranch.
• Friends of the Big Sioux River executive director Travis Entenman addresses the current health of the river.
• South Dakota Public Broadcasting’s “In the Moment” host Lori Walsh will explore how local artists use the Big Sioux River and other South Dakota landscapes to inspire their work. Panelists will include:
  • Nature videographer Kevin Kjergaard, featured regularly on “CBS Sunday Morning.”
  • Photographer Greg Latza, publisher of numerous South Dakota landscape books.
  • Sculptor Dale Lamphere, most known for his Arc of Dreams spanning the Big Sioux River and Dignity, the likeness of a Native American woman looming tall over the Missouri River at Chamberlain.
• International wildlife conservationist Stephanie Arne Davison, now a Sioux Falls resident, will close the day.

Breakout sessions

Breakout sessions throughout the conference will focus on three tracks: urban stewardship, regenerative agriculture and water resources.

Urban stewardship

• From Waste to Worth: Rescuing Food & Feeding Communities – Tons of perfectly good produce and restaurant excesses go to waste every year. Hear how Sioux Falls Thrive works to change that. Through a food-rescue initiative, volunteers and chefs will transform excess into nutritious meals for families in need.
• High Water, Higher Resilience: Lessons from the 2024 Flood – Sioux Falls Public Works and Parks & Recreation explore recently added prevention measures.

Regenerative agriculture

• Gas, Grass and Glasses of Milk: A Dairy’s Green Revolution – Baltic’s Boadwine Farms prioritizes sustainable milk production. Owner Lynn Boadwine shares how he has reinvented his family’s homestead — improving soil health, cow care and methane reduction. Plus, Midwest Dairy’s Whitney Blindert explains how South Dakota milk’s nutrition sustains human health.
• Could Your Next Burger or Steak Be Good for the Environment? – SDSU researcher Kristi Cammack and her research team’s work helps farmers and ranchers reduce carbon emissions, improve soil health and shape the future of food. This groundbreaking research impacts not just farms but the environment, the economy and what’s on your plate.
• Fighting the Green Glacier: Preserving South Dakota’s Grasslands – SDSU professor Dr. Alexander Smart will explain the threat of woody encroachment, particularly from Eastern red cedar, and its impact on South Dakota’s grasslands. This slow-moving invasion, known as the “Green Glacier,” has spread from the southern Great Plains into central and eastern South Dakota. In response, ranchers, scientists and conservationists are leading efforts to reclaim the land and protect vital ecosystems.
• The Connection: Healthy Soils, Foods and People – South Dakota Soil Health Coalition’s Chris Goldade explores the basics of healthy soil, introduces South Dakota Fresh Connect — a free platform linking people to local food — and teaches about the Dewey C. Gevik Outdoor Learning Center, a hub for hands-on environmental education.

Water resources

• Smart Water Solutions for Modern Farming – Midwest producers face growing water challenges, from extreme wet and dry periods to large-scale usage concerns. ISG’s water expert, Kyle Werning, explores innovative water management strategies adopted by modern dairy operations and South Dakota’s agricultural community. A key focus will be drainage water recycling.
• Simple Steps to Big Environmental Change – Conservation isn’t just for the wilderness — our cities, neighborhoods and even backyards play a crucial role in protecting natural resources. Alina Krone-Hedman, urban conservation education coordinator with the Minnehaha Conservation District, explores how traditional methods can be adapted to urban environments, offering practical, sustainable solutions for homes, gardens and communities. Learn how small-scale efforts can lead to significant environmental benefits.

Additional presentations and descriptions will be added to the city’s registration page.

Presenting sponsors are the city of Sioux Falls and SDSU. Gold sponsors are Midwest Dairy, ISG and East Dakota Water Development District. Other sponsors include the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and Friends of the Big Sioux River. Additional sponsorships and vendor booths are available.

• Sponsorships: Email Vernon Brown with SDSU for sponsorship opportunities.
• Vendor booths: Contact the city of Sioux Falls environmental office to secure a booth spot. Call 605-367-8600 for information.