The U.S. Forest Service and South Dakota’s Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources have signed a five-year shared stewardship agreement to expand cross-boundary forest management and support the state’s forest products industry.
The agreement outlines joint efforts to address forest, rangeland and grassland health, reduce wildfire risk and promote rural development across priority landscapes.
Officials said the partnership will combine state and federal resources to accelerate projects targeting insect and disease outbreaks, wildfire threats and community resilience. It also builds on existing cooperation aimed at sustainable land management and support for private landowners.
South Dakota has about 1.95 million acres of forest and extensive rangelands, making coordinated management critical, officials said.
The agreement may be extended in three-year increments after its initial term.
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