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The 2026 Mike Williams Lecture Series will feature the president of the South Dakota Wildlife Federation outlining what “Defending Outdoor America” means in Northeast South Dakota.
Brad Johnson of Watertown, who is head of the SDWF in May 2025, will highlight how outdoor traditions – including fishing waterfowl hunting and family recreation – are directly tied to the heart of local ecosystems. The talk will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14, at the Terry Redlin Environmental Center at Bramble Park Zoo.
Johnson has a strong history of public service in conservation. He has served 8 years on the Watertown City Council and 16 years on the South Dakota Board of Water and Natural Resources. He is past president of the S.D. Lakes and Streams Association and a member of the Lake Kampeska Water Project District Board. In addition to president of the S.D. Wildlife Federation, he is a board member of the National Wildlife Federation representing North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas.
He also a member of the Kampeska Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, which organizes the Mike Williams Lecture Series.
His talk will focus on three converging challenges: the spread of aquatic invasive species across high-use lakes, declining water quality tied to runoff and watershed pressures, and the economic risks these pose to tourism and rural communities.
Ultimately, his presentation is a call to action. Defending Outdoor America starts in places like northeast South Dakota, where conservation, culture, and the economy are inseparable – and where smart policy and local engagement can still shape the future.
