Mortenson Ranch's Range Restoration Video

In 2011, the South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award program recognized South Dakota NCR-SARE grant recipient, Todd Mortenson & Family, for their sustainable ranching practices, including rotational grazing, riparian restoration, wildlife conservation, and more. 

In this video, which is courtesy of the South Dakota Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Todd Mortenson describes some of his family’s many conservation efforts on their ranch in South Dakota.

"After seeing their range run out decades ago, the Mortensons changed grazing practices and not only increased their ability to raise cattle but also brought back wildlife, water, and native plants," said South Dakota SARE State Coordinator, Frank Kutka. 

The Leopold Conservation Award in South Dakota is sponsored by American State Bank, Belle Fourche River Watershed Partnership, Daybreak Ranch, Ducks Unlimited, Farm Credit, Millborn Seeds, NaturalResources Conservation Service (NRCS), Partners for Fish and Wildlife, the Rasmussen Leopold Fund, South Dakota’s Conservation Districts, the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources,the South Dakota Farm Bureau Federation, the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, the South Dakota State University Foundation, The Lynde and HarryBradley Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Want more information? See the related SARE grant(s) FNC94-070, Riparian/Range Restoration.