Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
Ms. Leslie Henry began working on projects November of 2004 to make sure projects files were up to date. Notice funds had not been released. Worked with Dr. Godfrey to free up funds. Worked with Lower Brule Community College and South Dakota State University project staff to up date information requested by USDA Awards management office. Funds released on 5-04-05 and a no-cost extension granted on 10-06-05 to 9-31-06. Lower Brule Community College and South Dakota State University began their portion of project in October 2003. Two new bison pasture were added to the bison research process at Oglala Lakota College. The Lower Brule Tribal bison herd and the Sinte Gleska University bison herd. Spring of 2004 exclosure plots constructed at both sites. In July of 2004 & 2005, the 48 sample plots were sampled for forage to be tested for cool and warm season production. Three clippings were taken out of each of the sample plots. Weighted, then air-dried and reweighed then
sent to the lab. Summer of 2005 SDSU graduate student Ms. Trudy Ecoffey did a range inventory of Lower Brule and Sinte Gleska plots. Summer of 2004 GPS of Knife Chief, OLC & Bull Bear bison pastures by Ms. Marvill. Also GPS of Lower Brule Tribal Pasture & Sinte Gleska University Pasture through coordination with Lower Brule Community College. Soil & range sampling in summer of 2004 conducted by South Dakota State University faculty, staff, & graduate student on four of the above bison pastures. Soil & range sampling methods demonstrated to Oglala Lakota College Agriculture & Natural Resource new faculty, students, and staff by South Dakota State University research staff at Lower Brule Tribal pasture during summer of 2005. Soil samples were collected in April 2004 & 2005 at four bison research sites. Three sample were taken from each plot (48 sample plots) totaling 144 samples. Samples were sent to South Dakota State University for lab work. Soil moisture, nutrient, and aggregate
stability were analyzed. In addition, carbon was tested. OLC Geographic Information System lab aided the research assistant in development of digital bison pasture maps of Knife Chief, OLC, Sinte Gleska University pastures. Summer of 2005 plant species inventory conducted by SDSU graduate student.
PRODUCTS: GPS/GIS Maps of three of the pastures.
OUTCOMES: Baseline data collection on four bison pastures related to soils and range forage production.
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: April 15 to 17,2004 Ms. Ecoffey took undergraduate and graduate studetns to the 15th Annual Mari Sandoz Heritage Society Conference where she presented the OLC research and bison program. Conferance was highlighting the Year of the Bison. This conferance was open to the public.
FUTURE INITIATIVES: Continue with promontion of bison related educational activities with local K-12 schools. Promote the use of OLC bison research pasture with other educators on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Set up an outreach webpage with links to local research fact sheets.
Impacts
Training of undergraduate and graduate students from both SDSU & OLC in Qualitative research sampling procedures of soil, and volume sampling of range plants. One OLC graduate assistant and six SDSU graduate students collected samples or learned to GPS and GIS the research plots and pastures. New OLC GIS lab manager developed our first local digital baseline pasture maps for the research project that new data can be attached to. Trained seven MS or PhD graduate students in range field research, technical assistance provided by South Dakota State University in sample collection and handling. Exposed four undergraduate students to range research plot design and data collection. Also, exposed students to exclosure fence construction at research plots.
Publications
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