Wallace Teen Honored as South Dakota’s Youth Conservationist of the Year

Northeast Radio SD News – Wallace, SD - Madison Grimm, a 19‑year‑old wildlife artist and conservation advocate from Wallace, has been named the South Dakota Wildlife Federation’s Youth Conservationist of the Year. The award was presented during the organization’s annual banquet in Huron last weekend.

Grimm earned statewide recognition for her leadership in wildlife preservation and legislative advocacy. Earlier this year, she successfully championed House Bill 1265, which allows individuals holding a federal migratory bird salvage permit to collect eggs from damaged nests — a practice previously prohibited under state law.

South Dakota Wildlife Federation President Brad Johnson, of Watertown, listens as Madison Grimm thanks the audience for her conservation award and tells of her Second Chance Flight nonprofit. Grimm also is a three time Junior Federal Duck Stamp winner.

Through her nonprofit Second Chance Flight, Grimm rescues waterfowl eggs from nests disrupted by farming operations, hatches and raises the birds, and releases them back into the wild. To date, she has returned roughly 200 birds to their natural habitats and expects that number to grow as her permit now includes pheasant eggs.

Beyond her conservation work, Grimm is a nationally acclaimed wildlife artist, having won the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Competition three times — the youngest and most decorated participant in the program’s history. Her father, Adam Grimm, served as keynote speaker at the banquet and is himself a three‑time Federal Duck Stamp winner and current Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year.

Four individuals were honored Saturday at the annual South Dakota Wildlife Federation awards banquet in Huron. Pictured left to right are Rep. Tim Goodwin, West River Legislator of the Year, Rep. Kadyn Wittman, East River  Legislator of the Year,  Charles “Charlie” Rokusek, Sioux Falls, Lifetime Achievement Award and Madison Grimm, Wallace, Youth Conservationist of the Year.

Other honorees included Rep. Tim Goodwin of District 30, named West River Legislator of the Year, and Rep. Kadyn Wittman of District 15, recognized as East River Legislator of the Year. Charles “Charlie” Rokusek of Sioux Falls received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of service to conservation and youth education through the 29‑90 Sportsman’s Conservation Club and the SDWF Youth Conservation Camp.

Founded in 1945, the South Dakota Wildlife Federation remains the state’s oldest and most influential conservation organization, advocating for science‑based wildlife management, public land access, and preservation of South Dakota’s outdoor heritage.