Mark Dixon has been a professor at the University of South Dakota since 2006 where he teaches classes in ecology, river science, and biological statistics. His current research focuses on riparian forest ecology and historical vegetation change, including the effects of river management and floods, along the Missouri River. He still enjoys birding and nature walks when he is not working (and even sometimes when he is).

Mark is co-author, with Matt Ley, David Swanson, and W. Carter Johnson, of Chapter 4, "Land Use, Forests, and Birds of the Big Sioux River Valley" in the recent (2022) book Heartland River: A Cultural and Environmental History of the Big Sioux River Valley, published by the Center for Western Studies at Augustana University in Sioux Falls.

Mark plans to talk about the Big Sioux River book and to cover some of the material in that chapter as well as provide an overview of the book. He will see about bringing some copies of the book with him. Book cost is approximately $18.00 and only cash or a personal check can be accepted; no plastic.

LHAS Board Meeting begins at 6:00 PM with Mark’s program beginning at 7:00 PM.

The Loess Hills Audubon Society exists to educate individuals and the public to enjoy and promote birding, to support ornithology and to be an advocate for wild areas and environmental issues. The Loess Hills Audubon Society is a chapter of the National Audubon Society.