Our Staff

Executive Director

Nature has been central to my life. My first five years were spent playing on 16 acres in a northern Idaho forest - picking wild raspberries, getting water from a small stream on the edge of our property, and watching bats circle the single yard light. This was the time for a wild young imagination to roam free. At six, I moved to the heart of the northern plains in South Dakota and discovered new aspects of nature. Instead of thick forests and mountain streams, there were rolling grasslands and roaming cows. My environment changed, but my need to be part of it did not.

Growing up in these environments has left me with a deep desire to sustain them. The idea of future generations not having these experiences imparts a sense of responsibility to leave the land as I found it and minimize the impacts of human activities. This drives my want to conserve our native prairies and clean our watersheds while educating the community on the importance of leaving the earth better than we found it, not letting the status quo continue just because, and what is possible when we give a damn.

We only have one earth and we are its stewards. As Aldo Leopold said, “Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land.”

Education and Outreach Manager

The outdoors has always been an integral part of my life. Growing up just outside of Sioux Falls on 10 acres of land provided my imaginative young mind with endless opportunities for adventure. From hunting for antler sheds among the shelterbelt of trees my grandfather planted fifty years before to watching, mesmerized, as fireflies emerged from the alfalfa field at dusk, their blinking lights a sure sign of summer, nature spurred my curiosities about the world. I was hooked on the prairies and rivers of my surroundings and had a strong desire to protect them. Robin Wall Kimmerer explained this feeling best in her seminal work Braiding Sweetgrass, “Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.”

For anyone growing up close to the Big Sioux River, you’re told one thing, “Don’t go in the river. It’s really dirty.” During my time at Augustana University, I experienced this first-hand as I tested water samples from the river for pollutants. Sure enough, the river was highly polluted and not safe for recreational use, let alone drinking water. But what if we could change that? Through Friends of the Big Sioux River, I look forward to working with and educating our community members and lawmakers on water quality and conservation practices to improve our river for all species, both now and for future generations. Together, we can defend, protect, and celebrate this place we call home.

Education and Outreach Intern

Tessa grew up in Papillion, Nebraska and has always had an appreciation for nature. She loves going hiking, camping, roller skating, and swimming in lakes/streams. Her hobbies include photography, baking, art, and watching movies. Her favorite animal is the beaver, favorite color is pink or green, favorite show is The Office, and favorite odd snack is frozen peas (not heated up). The craziest thing Tessa has done is probably skydiving or climbing a spire in the Black Hills at dusk. Tessa is excited to be a part of Friends of the Big Sioux River as the Education and Outreach intern this summer and hopes to learn more about programming and the animals that live here. 

Stewardship Intern

Kate Pfeifle is a Sioux Falls native who recently graduated from South Dakota State University. During her time at school, she majored in ecology and environmental science, with focuses on biology and data science. Kate is currently pursuing a master's degree in data science from SDSU. In her free time, Kate enjoys watching Survivor with friends (#TeamTiff), making jewelry, spending time outside, and playing board games that take way too many hours to finish. This summer, Kate is most excited about getting field experience through water sampling and the opportunity to apply her data science knowledge to real-world issues.