GNA Spotlight - South Dakota, March 2024
Authored by Amanda Morrison
In July 2023, the South Dakota GNA Forester agreement was signed to allow foresters to aid with and execute forest restoration and resiliency projects in the Black Hills National Forest. This Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) agreement between the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Black Hills National Forest utilizes Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding.
The Black Hills LiDAR project was the first project completed under the agreement. Activities included the collection of field data on nearly 1,700 10th-acre fixed plots. South Dakota was one of many partners that assisted in the data collection, which began in July 2023 and concluded in January 2024. Other partners include the Wyoming State Forestry Division and the Pennington County Natural Resource Division.
This data and the resulting LiDAR outputs will aid in the Black Hills National Forest Plan Revision process by providing valuable information for better planning and implementation of forest management and restoration activities. By ensuring appropriate and necessary treatments are utilized, the health and resiliency of the forest will be improved.
For more information, contact Amanda Morrison, Natural Resource Planner, at Amanda.morrison@state.sd.us or (605) 394-2279.