FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, Jan. 03, 2006
CONTACT: Wayne Winter, 773-4503

Foundation Elects New Board

PIERRE, S.D - The South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation recently elected officers and four new board members for 2006, in addition to bidding farewell to five board members, at its recent annual meeting in Rapid City.

Three directors leaving the board were incorporators of the foundation and have served continuously since 1985. John Hauer of Moab, Utah, Wayne Rasmussen of Brandon and Chuck Ingerson of Aberdeen helped create the foundation nearly 20 years ago. They were instrumental in guiding the foundation’s involvement in development of the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, the Spirit Mound Historic Prairie near Vermillion, the Outdoor Campus in Sioux Falls, the 110-mile George S. Mickelson Trail in the Black Hills and the renovation of Fort Sisseton.

Other Directors completing their five-year term on the Board were Burt Horsted of Sioux Falls and Tyler Stowater of Brandon.

“These individuals will be sorely missed”, said Wayne Winter, executive director of the foundation. “Their knowledge of the foundation’s projects, along with the skills they brought to the board of directors will be difficult to replace.  We wish them the best and thank them for their many years of service.”

Officers elected for 2006 are: Kitty Kinsman, Rapid City, President; Nettie Myers, Sioux Falls, Vice President; and Morris Radack, Yankton, Secretary/Treasurer.  Bob DeMersseman of Rapid City, Past President and Ron Schreiner of Pierre will continue to serve on the Board.

Newly elected Board Members include: Jay Frink of Beresford, Tom Lillibridge of Bonesteel, Everett Hoyt of Rapid City and Duane Thurow of Aberdeen. They will begin serving their 5-year terms immediately. “Our new board members bring a wealth of expertise and commitment to the outdoors that will contribute to the success of the Foundation,” said Kitty Kinsman, president of the foundation.

The focus of foundation efforts during 2006 will be to continue fundraising efforts for an education addition at the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve, working with the City of Custer to complete a trail extension between the George S. Mickelson Trail in Custer and Custer State Park, and working with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks to develop an outdoor learning center in Rapid City.

The South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation was incorporated in 1985 as a 501(c)3, charitable organization. The foundation’s mission is to encourage support from the private and public sectors for the enhancement and protection of our state’s natural resources for parks and wildlife and to provide recreational opportunities for the people of South Dakota and their guests. Additional information about the foundation is available on their website at http://www.parkswildlifefoundation.org.

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