Krista Ehlert

Title

Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Range Specialist

Office Building

Off-Campus

Mailing Address

SDSU West River Research & Extension
711 N Creek Dr
Rapid City, SD 57703

Education

• Ph.D. in ecology and environmental sciences | Montana State University | 2017
• M.S. in land resources and environmental sciences | Montana State University | 2013
• B.A. in biology | St. Olaf College | 2011

Academic Interests

In my role, I connect with producers and partners to better understand how to utilize management strategies to improve our natural resources in South Dakota. I am particularly proud of the work that I do with beginning producers as well as women and youth. I enjoy being part of interdisciplinary teams that tackle research questions through innovative approaches, and provide actionable results to beef cattle producers across South Dakota and the Northern Great Plains.

• Cooperative Extension
• Rangeland ecology
• Plant ecology
• Ecologically-based invasive plant management

Committees and Professional Memberships

• Rangelands Partnership
• Society for Range Management

Extension Responsibilities

I am responsible for Extension programming and research related to South Dakota rangelands. This includes developing collaborations with other SDSU faculty, as well as non-profits, state and federal agencies, such as The Nature Conservancy, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Bureau of Land Management. 

Awards and Honors

• 2023, Nominated - Society for Range Management, Outstanding Young Range Professional
• 2022, South Dakota State University Extension Creativity in Service in All South Dakotan’s Award

Grants

• Over $84.4 million funded, including 20 grants funded for a total of $4.4 million and an $80 million Climate Smart grant awarded in 2023

Areas of Research

• Range ecology
• Low-cost, low-tech process-based riparian restoration
• Virtual fencing