Jim Vinella has won the Izaak Walton League Wildlife Habitat Award. Jim and his wife Kathy live in Watertown. Jim was nominated by the Codington County Conservation District. They want to recognize him for his extraordinary stewardship in developing wildlife habitat while conserving resources and protecting soil and water on his land.

Jim has three parcels of land in Codington and Clark County for a total of 328 acres. Jim has restored a large part of his land to native grasses that would greatly increase wildlife habitat while also helping restore the health of the soils. He actively does burning and mowing to stimulate the growth of native forbs making the stand more attractive to wildlife and pollinators. Food plots are found throughout his property, along with wetlands, native grasslands, and timbered areas, making it perfect habitat for a variety of wildlife.

Jim's interest in good land stewardship began at an early age. Much of his early years were spent with his dad out in the fields hunting deer and ducks. He developed an appreciation for the wildlife he hunted and the spaces they inhabited. It became a dream of his to purchase a property and manage it to maximize the wildlife on the property.

Jim has been eager to explore options to benefit wildlife both on his property and helping others do the same. His actively involved in Pro Pheasants and is the Vice President of the Kampeska Chapter of the Izaak Walton League.

Jim has over 130 acres of his land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The CRP program provided cost share for native grass and forb establishment. Pheasants Forever biologists have provided technical assistance for native seeding establishment and conservation efforts.

The Codington County Conservation District also received a Certificate of Appreciation from the South Dakota Izaak Walton League .