Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1969-2007 (Creation)
Extent
0.21 linear feet (1 half-document case)
Name of creator
Administrative history
In 1938, South Dakota State University offered its first Conservation of Natural Resources course through the Entomology and Zoology Department. By 1939, the college catalog included conservation and wildlife management as a formal area of study. The program expanded over the years, and by 1950, students could pursue a BS in agriculture or a BS in wildlife techniques and conservation. Graduate courses were introduced in 1957, eventually leading to a Master of Science degree in both areas. In 1963, these developments culminated in the creation of a separate Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences.
The department continued to grow, with a wildlife extension agent added in 1970 and increasing faculty numbers. Although the wildlife techniques major was later discontinued, new areas of study were introduced. Today, the department—now known as the Department of Natural Resource Management—offers BS, MS, and PhD degrees designed to prepare students for careers with government agencies and private organizations.
The department’s mission is to conduct research, educate students at all levels, and provide outreach benefiting South Dakota and society at large. Its work focuses on ecology and environmental science, rangeland ecology and management, and wildlife and fisheries sciences.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
This collection is composed of material published by the South Dakota State University Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences. It includes brochures, newsletters, programs, guides, announcements, photographs, and reports that document the department's outreach, research, and educational activities. Notable items include the Buffalo Banquet program—an annual awards event sponsored by the student Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Club—and Wildlifer’s Log, the department’s newsletter. Materials such as the Wisdom Wednesday Series announcements and departmental brochures reflect ongoing public engagement and student involvement.
The collection also includes the South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit annual report, the American Fisheries Society Fisheries Management Section newsletter, and publications such as Wetland Resources of Eastern South Dakota by Rex R. Johnson and Kenneth F. Higgins, which contribute to the documentation of regional environmental research. The Habitat Management Guides, issued by the Soil Conservation Service in Huron, South Dakota, offer applied wildlife management strategies for species such as pronghorn antelope, wild turkey, and ring-necked pheasant.
This collection provides insight into the department’s role in wildlife conservation education, student engagement, and regional ecological research. It is particularly valuable for understanding mid-to-late 20th-century wildlife management practices and institutional outreach in South Dakota.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
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In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use. .sdstate.edu/sdsu-archives-and-special-collections/researcher-registration-form)
The collection is open for research, but please note that the materials in the Archives do not circulate and can only be used In the SDSU Archives and Special Collections Reading Room.
Please contact us in advance so we can prepare for your visit.
If you cannot visit the Archives in person, please reach out to us. We will do our best to help you find the information you need.
In most cases, the materials in this collection have not been digitized and are not available online.
South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections supports access to the materials in its collections. However, access to some items may be restricted due to their fragile condition, donor agreements, or other considerations.
If you would like to know more about the contents of the collection, please contact the SDSU Archives at: Telephone: 605-688-5094 Email: arcrefs@sdstate.edu
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Reproduction of materials from the collection is subject to the following conditions:
- Permission: Written permission must be obtained from the SDSU Archives for any reproduction, publication, or quotation of materials.
- Copyright: Users are responsible for complying with copyright laws and securing any necessary permissions from copyright holders.
- Fragile Materials: Some items may not be reproduced due to their fragile condition.
- Charges: Reproduction charges may apply, and users will be informed of any costs in advance.
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Acknowledgment: Any reproduced material must include proper acknowledgment of the South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections as the source.
For more information or to request permission, please contact the SDSU Archives.
Languages of the material
English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Notes element
General note
Copyright and Use Statement
In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.