A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, Honoring the Slovek Ranch as the 2023 Leopold Conservation Award recipient.

WHEREAS, the Leopold Conservation Award, named for renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, recognizes farm and ranch families who demonstrate outstanding conservation leadership on their land and in their communities; and

WHEREAS, a commitment to the health of South Dakota's natural resources is exemplified by the Slovek Ranch as the recipient of the 2023 Leopold Conservation Award; and

WHEREAS, Bill Slovek inherited more than rolling acres of prairie northwest of Philip from his father Earl. Bill also inherited his father's legacy of careful land stewardship, and alongside his wife Pennie, he continues the legacy through their children Bo, Brock, and Belinda; and

WHEREAS, Earl’s open mind benefited Bill as he came home from college, and began buying land, developing water infrastructure, and implementing a new grazing strategy; and

WHEREAS, Slovek Ranch’s grazing system has produced an increase in the diversity of plant species across the landscape and provides feed and habitat for wildlife and threatened grassland birds and pollinators; and

WHEREAS, Bill has evolved into a conservationist whose years of careful observation mimic an approach resembling Aldo Leopold’s own way of studying soil, plants, wildlife, and people’s impact on the landscape; and

WHEREAS, Bill's ability to adapt and innovate has produced an improved landscape and conservation ethic that he can hand down to his children:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the Ninety-Ninth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that the Slovek Ranch is recognized for earning the 2023 Leopold Conservation Award in South Dakota.