Founded in 1937 as The Society of Wildlife Specialists, The Wildlife Society has evolved into an international nonprofit organization of professional wildlife ecologists and managers. Members number over 10,000 from 40 different countries, and include administrators, biologists, conservation officers, educators, managers and researchers. The objectives of TWS are to:
- Promote sound stewardship of wildlife resources and the environments upon which wildlife and humans depend;
- Undertake an active role in preventing human-induced environmental degradation;
- Increase awareness and appreciation of wildlife values; and
- To seek the highest standards in all activities of the wildlife profession.
The South Dakota Chapter of TWS (SDTWS) was initiated on February 19, 1966 with 56 charter members. SDTWS is affiliated with the Central Mountains and Plains Section of The Wildlife Society, one of eight subdivisions of TWS. SDTWS has a current membership of 171 people interested in the welfare of South Dakota wildlife. Members include private citizens and representatives and/or cooperating staff from:
South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks
South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Complete list of Colleges, Community Colleges and Universities in South Dakota
Natural Resources Conservation Service
USDA Forest Service (offices in South Dakota):
Buffalo Gap National Grassland
Fort Pierre National Grassland
USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station
Bureau of Reclamation
Bureau of Land Management – Montana and Dakotas
Fish and Wildlife Management Offices – State, Territorial and Tribal