- by Dennis Anderson, Minneapolis Star Tribune, December 27, 2009
An article on the December 19th pheasant hunt fundraiser near Kennebec, SD, for Tony Dean's Acres. (Click on the article title to read the entire article).
- by Jeff Bunn, Pierre Capital Journal, December 22, 2009
An article on the results of the December 19th pheasant hunt, auction and dinner fundraiser for Tony Dean's Acres. (Click on the article title to read the entire article).
- by Jeff Bunn, Pierre Capital Journal, December 18, 2009
An article on the December 19th pheasant hunt, auction and dinner fundraiser for Tony Dean's Acres. (Click on the article title to read the entire article).
- by Thom Gabrukiewicz, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, August 6, 2009
An article on the August 8th fundraiser for Tony Dean's Acres. (Click on the article title to read the entire article).
Project featured on KDLT TV
John Cooper, Co-Chair of the Tony Dean's Acres Steering Committee, appeared live on KDLT TV's morning show at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 6th. He will be promoting the project, along with the Tony Dean Festival August 8 in Pierre, and the Auction in Sioux Falls on September 24.
An article on the August 8th fundraiser for Tony Dean's Acres. (Click on the article title to read the entire article).
- by Tony Mangan, KCCR Radio News, Pierre, SD - June 25, 2009
Tony Dean Festival set for Aug. 8
A celebration of the life of Tony Dean is being held in the most appropriate location -- outdoors.
The inaugural Tony Dean Festival is set for Aug. 8 on the Spring Creek peninsula, between the Trails Golf Course and Spring Creek resort. The festival honors Dean, the Pierre resident and nationally known outdoor and conservation commentator, who died last fall.
Paul Lepisto says this is a way to honor Dean, in an area that he most enjoyed.
The day is full of activities and will include golf, fishing events, vendors and ribbon cutting for the new Spring Creek deep water marina.
Lepisto says this event is also a chance to heighten awareness about the effort to raise funds for the Tony Dean Memorial Acres, which is designed to promote outdoor activities.
Lepisto says fund raising for the acre project continues. He says the land for the project has not yet been purchased.
- from National Wildlife Federation - May 20, 2009
Tony Dean Receives National Honor
Pictured from left are Tom Gonzales, outgoing Chair, National Wildlife Federation Board of Directors, Darlene DeChandt and daughter Melissa DeChandt, and Larry Schweiger, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation.
May 20, Reston VA. -- The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has bestowed posthumously its prestigious Conservation Achievement Award to Tony Dean, noted conservationist, sportsman and TV and radio host who called Pierre, South Dakota home. Revered as a legend in the Northern Plains states, Dean used his radio and TV platforms to educate his audiences on a broad range of conservation issues which NWF advocates for including climate change, wilderness areas, mining reform and conservation provisions in the Farm Bill. His shows
“Tony Dean Outdoors” and “Dakota Backroads” not only informed and entertained, but inspired people to take action to protect our nation’s natural resources. His award was given in the Communications Category at NWF’s Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, PA.in May of this year and was accepted by his wife Dar DeChandt. Tony Dean passed away in October of 2008.
“The future of wildlife is more secure thanks to Tony Dean, whose views were respected by hunters and anglers across the Midwest and beyond,” said Larry Schweiger, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “His name recognition and history of addressing the concerns of sportsmen like himself have emboldened hunters and anglers who might never have engaged their elected officials on issues like global warming.”
Dean’s dedication to supporting NWF went beyond his TV and radio shows. He contributed considerable time and energy to being a powerful voice for the Federation’s top conservation issues. In addition to testifying before a House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources Dean lent his voice to NWF’s Waterfowler’s Guide to Global Warming, helping capture the attention of duck and goose hunters across the country.
He rallied hunter/angler support for the Climate Security Act in 2008 and personally met with key senators to urge them to support and strengthen the bill. He also spoke on the climate concerns of hunters and anglers at a national press conference last summer on Capital Hill in Washington DC. and has delivered numerous speeches on the impact of global warming on wildlife and wildlife habitat.
As a tribute to Dean’s conservation legacy, his family and friends have established the Tony Dean’s Acres memorial to continue his life's work by providing land that will support wildlife habitat, provide for public outdoor recreation and carry on Tony's commitment to environmental education. Every $1,000 donated will buy an acre of wildlife habitat and support conservation education programs. Tony Dean's Acres will be managed for wildlife in perpetuity under the direction of the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks, and will be open to public use for outdoor recreation and environmental education programming. To make a tax deductible donation to Tony Dean’s Acres, please contact the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation, http://www.parkswildlifefoundation.org/TonyDean.htm.
“The conservation community will sorely miss Tony Dean, a wildlife warrior whose dedication to protecting our nation’s natural heritage was unwavering,” concluded Schweiger.
- by Tony Mangan, KCCR Radio News, Pierre, SD - April 22, 2009
The Late Tony Dean Honored for Work
With still a heavy heart, Darlene DeChandt again stood in honor of her late husband Wednesday morning.
DeChandt received the 2009 Roger Eastman Special Achievement Award given in honor of her late husband, Tony Dean of Pierre, the nationally known outdoor and conservationist author and writer who passed away last October.
The award is given each year to a member of the Great Lakes of South Dakota Tourism Association, who has shown outstanding service to the visitor industry. The award was presented during the association's Great Tourism Day held at the Kings Inn Hotel and Conference Center.
Since his death, Dean has received several awards from organizations and groups. DeChandt says she is honored that her husband is receiving such attention, but she wishes he was here to enjoy it.
Several of Dean's friends are working to raise funds for the Tony Dean's Acres Memorials, which will be a land for public hunting, fishing and conservation. DeChandt says the group has raised about half of its own $100,000 goal and she says four to five companies plan to contribute a dollar to dollar match towards the purchase of the land, which has not yet been selected.
As the project has moved forward, DeChandt says there has been more of an emphasis in making sure the property is available for the youth as well. She says young people are the future of the outdoor and conservation efforts.
DeChandt says the fund-raising has gone well despite the economy and several large fund-raising events are planned. She says the goal is to be able to select and purchase the property, which will include an outdoor classroom, soon. The South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation is helping collect donations.
The Brookings County, SD chapter of Pheasants Forever presents a gift to the Tony Dean's Acres project. (Click on the article title to read the entire article).
- by Jeff Bunn, Pierre Capital Journal - March 30, 2009
An update on the status of the Tony Dean's Acres project. (Click on the article title to read the entire article).
- by Tony Mangan, KCCR Radio News, Pierre, SD - March 23, 2009
Missouri River Organization Honors Tony Dean
A life-long friend of the Missouri River was honored Friday.
The late Tony Dean of Pierre was honored at the annual meeting of the Missouri River Sedimentation Action Coalition, held at the Pierre Governor’s Inn. Dean’s wife, Darlene DeChandt, was there to accept the award.
Before Dean died last fall, he had narrated a DVD on the river, its history and its sedimentation problems for the Missouri River Sedimentation Action Coalition.
The group’s board president, Pierre City Commissioner Larry Weiss, says Dean’s reputation of being a Missouri River advocate was nationally known. Weiss says Dean’s involvement in the project, which was Dean’s last major project, helped give the DVD even more credibility.
DeChandt says her husband always loved the river and what it meant to this area as a wildlife, recreational and financial resource.
Since Dean’s death last fall, DeChandt says several groups have honored Dean for his work and there is a fund-raising effort going on to purchase property for a public recreation project called Tony Dean’s Acres. DeChandt says she appreciates all of the recognition given to her husband.
Weiss says the plaque presented was hand made using lumber from old buildings. Weiss says Patrick Callahan of Oahe TV, who filmed and produced the DVD, also has been honored by the coalition.
- by Dennis Anderson, Minneapolis Star Tribune - March 15, 2009
Darlene Dean talks about her dream of a public recreation area set aside in memory of her late husband, Tony Dean. (Click on the article title to read the entire article).
Veryl Julson Memorial
While this isn't a news story, Veryl Julson's obituary was very touching for the family of Tony Dean, and for all of the people working on this project. We have included it here as a way for others to be able to see the generosity of spirit demonstrated by Veryl Julson and her family.
