Tony Dean was an outdoor enthusiast, a conservationist, a broadcaster, and a writer, with hopes and dreams for projects that would help preserve and enhance public recreation opportunities for everyone.
This website is dedicated to Tony Dean's memory and to the things he loved. It also serves as the headquarters for the campaign currently underway to raise funds to establish a public recreation area in his memory, to be called Tony Dean's Acres.
Following Tony's death in October of 2008, the Tony Dean's Acres Steering Committee established a goal of raising $100,000 within 18 months. Thanks to several successful fundraising events, as well as an outpouring of support from generous donors from across the country, that goal was surpassed in the first twelve months of fundraising. Having successfully completed the first phase of the project, we are now laying the groundwork for land acquisition, and raising funds for youth environmental education.
Tony & Dar Dean Outdoor Education Grant Program - 2012 Grant Applications Now Available
We are pleased to announce that grant applications are now being accepted for the second set of grants to be offered through the Tony and Dar Dean Outdoor Education Fund. The first set of grants from this fund were awarded in late 2011.
Working in cooperation with the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation, the Tony and Dar Dean Outdoor Education Fund is providing small grant funding for projects associated with youth conservation education in South Dakota.
The application period for accepting grant proposals for 2012 will run from April 5 - July 1, 2012.
Grants awarded through the Tony and Dar Dean Education Fund are intended to provide resources and support to individuals and organizations desiring to provide quality educational outdoor experiences, and are intended to be used in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to:
funding travel for students or groups to educational events
providing supplies and materials to promote outdoor knowledge and skills
creating new activities and events that increase outdoor knowledge and participation among South Dakota families and youth
Grant awards will be a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $1,500. A total of $4,000 is available to applicants in calendar year 2012. See the following document for grant details. Grant Program Summary
All applications for grants from the Tony and Dar Dean Outdoor Education Fund must be submitted electronically. To submit an application, print the Grant Application Form (Download Word Document), complete the application and send the form as an attachment to an email to PWF@state.sd.us. Please type "TD Grant" in the subject line.
Family and friends of Tony and Dar are continuing our work to build the Tony and Dar Dean Outdoor Education Fund so that a larger number of grants can be awarded in the future. Contributions of any size are most welcome. To make a tax deductible donation to the fund, you may make a contribution online through the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation website, or mail a check to:
South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation 523 E. Capitol Pierre, SD 57501 (Please note in the memo line of your check that your contribution is for the Tony and Dar Dean Outdoor Education Fund).
If you have questions about the grant program or making a donation, please send an email to PWF@state.sd.us or call Wayne Winter at (605) 773-4503, or John Cooper at (605) 222-7582.
SLIDE SHOW:This PowerPoint slide show of photos and comments about Tony Dean was compiled by Tony and Dar's son Cameron DeChandt for a public celebration of Tony Dean's life, held on November 1, 2008.
