Rangeland specialist hired

Hannah Gross
NLJ Correspondent
 
A native of Mitchell, South Dakota, Tanner Jenks says he has always wanted to live in the Black Hills area. He has been able to do just that since being hired in February to be the Newcastle rangeland management specialist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, an arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 
Growing up on a South Dakota farm, Jenks said, he loved being outside, so pursuing a career in nature seemed like an obvious choice. He graduated from South Dakota State University in May of 2020 with a degree in rangeland ecology and management, as well as a minor in botany. Since then, he has served as a habitat intern for South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, where he helped habitat biologists and technicians create habitats for game species, including pheasant and white-tailed deer. 
In his new position, Jenks will continue to use his creativity as he helps landowners come up with a plan that is both beneficial for them and the environment.
“I’m a conservation planner,” Jenks said. 
When clients come to him with problems on their land, it is Jenk’s responsibility to recommend alternative practices and formulate a plan and map for the landowners. His goal is to help producers see the benefits of conservation and improve rangeland health to make it more sustainable. 
In his free time, Jenks enjoys hunting, hiking and anything that involves the outdoors. 
“I always liked being outside and in nature. … I thought this was a good fit,” Jenks said. “Just being out in nature is one of my favorite hobbies.” 
Jenks said he looks forward to working with the local landowners to create and implement ideas  to improve operations and conserve nature.