A fund has been established to provide a fitting memorial for Tony Dean.

Tony's family and friends are now teaming up with the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation to provide a way for people to contribute to a memorial fund which will continue his legacy. The fund will be used to purchase land in South Dakota. The land will become a wildlife management area, provide public outdoor recreation, and carry on Tony Dean's commitment to environmental education.

A Memorial Fundraising Committee has been established and is working closely with major conservation organizations to design a project that will form partnerships to honor Tony's long time dedication to South Dakota's natural resources. The Committee is chaired by Dave Zentner of Duluth, MN and John Cooper of Pierre, SD. Paul Lepisto of Pierre, SD, who worked as Tony's Producer/Videographer for 18 years, is also serving on the Steering Committee for the fundraising campaign.

A Tony Dean's Acres Memorial Fund has been established through the South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation, to allow individuals, businesses and organizations to make tax deductible contributions to the fund. Contributions payable to Tony Dean's Acres Memorial may be sent to:

South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation
Tony Dean's Acres Memorial
523 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501

Credit card donations may be made via the Parks and Wildlife website:
www.parkswildlifefoundation.org.

For more information, email info@TonyDeansAcres.com.

Ever since I came to North Dakota and fell in love with the prairies, I enjoyed listening to Tony on the radio and watching his outdoor shows on TV. Moreover, what impressed me most about this man was his dedication to the "good fight" on behalf of hunters and anglers across our great Nation. Tony's foresight on issues like wetland conservation, prairie preservation, CRP, and access to recreational opportunities formed a comprehensive vision of the future which only Tony could communicate to a diversity of listeners, some willing, some not so willing. Sadly, we have lost a real champion of the Dakota prairies. I can think of no greater tribute to Tony than to pledge to introduce at least one new youngster in his name to hunting, fishing or just marveling at the wonder of fall on the prairies.

Dave Brandt
President
North Dakota Wildlife Federation

I met Tony Dean a few years ago, introducing myself and the organization I work for, he immediately brightened and exclaimed how Alaska was one of his favorite places. He was giving a keynote on climate change and like has already been mentioned on this page - he really got it, his passion for nature, his gift with words and courage to stand up for wildlife and wild habitats made him a real hero for all of us who love the outdoors. Tony was a long time member of the Alaska Coalition/Alaska Wilderness League and dedicated some shows to the amazing Alaskan wildlands - both the incredible hunting and fishing - as well as in-depth discussions of wild places at risk. Twice in the last few years he made the trip to Washington DC on behalf of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, lending his great voice in support of protection. It was an honor to know him, his support and public voice for wild nature everywhere, here in the upper midwest as well as Alaska, will be cherished and so very much missed.

Lois Norrgard
Alaska Wilderness League

Tony was a past Honorary President of the Izaak Walton League of America and had just started a term on the Executive Board of Directors. We were proud to have him as a spokes person for conservation.

Tony always volunteerd to help in any way he could. I remeber a national convention in South Dakota and Tony took time from his many activities to guide the then President of the League on a fishing trip on Lake Oahe. The fact that they never caught a fish did not phase him and he was there the next morning to try again. The President was'nt.

Tony wrote: "To discover the purpose of leadership you need to understand yourself and the passions that make you a leader."

Tony, may the game be bountiful where you are.
Mike Williams, President
Izaak Walton League of Americs

Anyone that has ever been in the field or the blind and witnessed the world coming alive knows what I am talking about. Once a person has been touched by this overwhelming feeling that draws us back again and again, he/she becomes a kindred spirit with the vast numbers of Outdoorsmen and Conservationists throughout the country. I'm proud to say sportsmen were first in conservation.

I will always be grateful for what Tony Dean has done for me and my family and other hunters and anglers in this country. His voice has been a candle in the dark for many others who for some reason can't seem to stand up and speak out. May his spirit flow as free as the wild game he loved.

Jim Casselman, President
United Hunters of Florida

I had the pleasure of getting to know Tony while we were lobbying together for the Climate Security Act this past summer. Tony was so full of life, it is hard to imagine he is gone. When he spoke about wildlife and climate change, he spoke straight from the heart. He had that same passion when he talked to me about racing, and I knew Tony understood my love for driving. It was truly an honor to have known him. We will miss you Tony, but we will continue to fight the good fight and will forever hold you in our hearts.

May the four winds blow you safely home.

Leilani

Tony Dean was a dedicated champion of conservation values, not just in his adopted state of South Dakota, but around the country.

National Wildlife Federation had no better friend in the hunting and angling community than Tony. He was tireless in his efforts to safeguard what he loved most—the great outdoors and the sporting life. He was a leader in talking about global warming and in taking action to address its impacts on wildlife and habitat before it was easy to do so.

Tony touched countless fans of his programs and writings with his conservation ethic, and he did it with passion and humility. He fell in love with the prairie through the eyes of a hunter and shared that love unselfishly. He was a rare breed—as kind and decent and gentlemanly as they come. Tony also was well-armed with a wit as sharp as a new hook and an aim as true as there ever was.

For those of us at National Wildlife Federation who are committed to inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future, Tony was a tremendous inspiration and will be deeply missed.

Tony Dean got it.  He understood that conservation wasn't a theoretical exercise played out in Washington and Pierre and other halls of power.  Tony knew exactly what was at stake every time he uttered a word or put pen to paper on the subject of wildlife.  Tony knew that the places, people and wildlife he advocated for were very real and very much under the gun.  The passion with which he lent his support was matched only by the love he had for being outside and in harmony with the land.  He knew conservation was about leaving something real for future generations.  He wanted the folks that came after him to be free to feel a smallmouth struggle against the lure or position themselves for a shot behind a brace of elegant dogs locked on point.  Tony knew that as long as there were people who cared about hunting and fishing, fish and wildlife had at least a fighting chance to continue to thrive and contribute their part to the tapestry of Americana.

We've lost Tony's voice, but we cannot lose his passion.  Because it's the same passion that inspired Teddy Roosevelt and Aldo Leopold and all the rest.  It wanes, in the face of other challenges, but Tony was always there, with that silky voice, to remind us of our obligations to the land that gives us so much.  Now that he's gone, we must provide voice to the passion that has carried hunters and anglers for so long.  Tony would demand it of us.

Last time I saw Tony, he was about to get on a plane and depart Washington to get back to South Dakota.  He told me, "C'mon out to South Dakota this fall and we'll see if we can't find a few sharptails."  I'm leaving for South Dakota in less than two weeks and I hate that I won't be able to see Tony.  But I know he'll be there.

Tight lines bud.

The last time I saw Tony in person was a press conference on Capitol Hill. He told this great story about how he once asked his senator what it would take for him to change his mind on an issue. The senator replied, 20 or so letters from my constituents. Mr. Dean was amazed at how small this number was.

Tony took that knowledge and challenged others to join him to advocate for the lands and traditions he loved. Only 1% of Americans will ever contact their decision makers, he said. Those 1% speak for the other 99%. Think about that, he said.

I will. Thank you, Tony for being part of that 1%. Thank you for speaking up for the land and water and wildlife you now leave behind.

NWF and NWF Action Fund have worked with hunters and anglers for decades, but Tony Dean has been one of our longest and staunchest allies. As a TV, Radio, and print personality, Tony Dean brought conservation ethics and values to everyday hunters and anglers.  So, as forum for sportsmen on one of the most important conservation issues of our time, TargetGlobalWarming.org is, we hope, a continuation of Tony Dean's legacy.  We hope to live up to that legacy.