At the University of South Dakota, a group of students came together over a shared love of plants — and accidentally grew something bigger: a family.

The Coyote Sprout Society is a 112-member student club working to turn the USD Sculpture Garden into a living, breathing work of art, using recycled materials, home-propagated plants, and pure determination.

With very little school funding, our students are volunteering, crafting, and fundraising to keep our dream alive. Every donation — whether a dollar, a pot, or a handful of soil — helps us grow something beautiful that will continue to thrive for years to come.

Who We Are

Coyote Sprout Society is a place where anyone — regardless of experience — can come to de-stress, learn, and grow together. College life is stressful, and we wanted to create something that feels like a breath of fresh air amid the academic chaos.

We are intentionally a low-commitment club, but that doesn’t mean low participation — far from it. Our meetings are lively, our events are full, and our members are consistently present and engaged. Whenever the club calls for volunteers, they show up. That reliability and passion make our community truly special.

Our Mission: Growing the Beating Botanical Heart of USD

This year, we will be working to bring new life to the USD campus through the Sculpture Garden located at the Fine Arts Building. Together, we’re transforming it into a living work of art — a space where art, ecology, and creativity intersect, and where students can learn and grow hands-on.

Our long-term goal is to create “living heirlooms” — plants and projects that will be passed down to future generations of members, symbolizing continuity, legacy, and growth.

Building the Future

The majority of our members are freshmen and sophomores, led by an executive board of eight dedicated students, including two Co-Presidents and one Vice President. Over half of our leadership team are Pre-Med or Nursing majors, with two pursuing Pre-Med and Spanish double majors. Despite their demanding coursework, they dedicate what little free time they have to helping C.S.S. grow.

The executive board is focused on ensuring that the club thrives long after we graduate. We’re training new leaders now, giving them responsibilities and mentorship to ensure a smooth transition of leadership and a strong foundation for the years ahead.

A Club That Gives Back

Our members are hungry for volunteering opportunities — they don’t just want to be part of a club; they want to make a difference. Alongside fundraising, we’re organizing service-based fundraisers like mowing lawns, raking leaves, and shoveling snow together as a club.

These are busy students — many of whom could be using that time to study or work for their own needs — but they choose instead to work for the good of the club and the community. Their dedication and compassion truly represent what C.S.S. stands for.

Why We Need Your Help

Despite our size and dedication, our club received a very small amount of funding for the entire academic year — barely enough for basic materials. Your support will allow us to continue building our Sculpture Garden project, hosting events, and giving students the opportunity to learn through hands-on sustainability.

The Coyote Sprout Society is more than a student organization — it’s a family built on passion, inclusion, and heart. Despite our limited resources, we’ve created something thriving and full of life.

Your support helps us nurture both plants and people, building a legacy of sustainability, creativity, and kindness at the University of South Dakota. Together, we can help something beautiful grow — one sprout, one seed, one act of care at a time.