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SDSU Extension Welcomes New Native Plant Field Specialist

South Dakota State University Extension is pleased to welcome Allison Dollen as a new Native Plant Field Specialist.

In her role, Dollen will work with producers and the public to extend the Native Plant Initiative and provide education on native plants that thrive in South Dakota and the benefits they provide. She is based on the SDSU campus in Brookings.

Dollen said she is excited to help South Dakotans reach their native plant and restoration goals, and to work with others who are championing the area.

“I hope to establish myself as a resource on everything pertaining to native plants for the people of South Dakota,” she said. “I want to connect them with the wonderful organizations across the state already working to get more native plants on the landscape.”

A native of northeastern Iowa, Dollen grew up on a family farm with a mind for native plant restoration. She graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s in environmental science and a minor in animal ecology, and from SDSU with a master’s in biological sciences with a specialization in natural resource management.

“I grew up helping with restoration projects on the farm and am so grateful I get to make a career out of doing the same for other landowners,” she said.

Source : sdstate.edu

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Canadian Wildfire Smoke Creates a Red Sunrise Over North Carolina Sunflower field - July 2026

Video: Canadian Wildfire Smoke Creates a Red Sunrise Over North Carolina Sunflower field - July 2026

A sunrise unlike any other.

This peaceful morning at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, North Carolina was transformed by smoke drifting south from the Canadian wildfires. As the rising sun filtered through the haze, the sky glowed in deep shades of red and orange, casting a surreal light over the blooming sunflower field. While the colors were breathtaking, they also served as a reminder of how connected our environment is. Smoke from wildfires hundreds of miles away changed the appearance of a North Carolina sunrise, creating a rare and unforgettable moment in nature.

Take a few minutes to experience this quiet morning as the sun slowly rises through the smoky haze above one of Raleigh's most beloved summer landscapes.