Agricultural News
Conservation Awards Handed Out at State Capitol
Tue, 09 Mar 2010 6:30:56 CSTThe Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD) and other sponsors presented awards to outstanding conservationists and conservation educators during Conservation Day at the Capitol on March 8. Awards were also presented to members of the press and conservation districts for outstanding efforts in spreading information about conservation. The various awards were cosponsored by Chesapeake Energy, the Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma and the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.
In the awards ceremony that took place in the Governor’s Blue Room, presenters included Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts President Trey Lam, Oklahoma Press Association (OPA) Executive Vice President Mark Thomas, and Oklahoma Conservation Commission Executive Director Mike Thralls. In addition, representatives from Chesapeake Energy, the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation and the Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma were present to help present awards. Lt. Gov. Jari Askins spoke to the approximately 100 present, emphasizing the value of the work of conservationists to Oklahoma. Several honorees also received Legislative Citations from their home area state senator or representative.
The OACD Conservation Awards are presented according to three categories — Outstanding Conservation District, Outstanding District Director and Outstanding Landowner/Cooperator.
Grady County Conservation District received the Outstanding District Award, cosponsored by Chesapeake Energy. Matt Clark, Chesapeake Energy; and Trey Lam, OACD, presented the award. The Grady County Conservation District office is in Chickasha.
Rodney Hern of Wakita, on the board of directors of the Grant County Conservation District, received the Outstanding District Director Award, cosponsored by the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation. Shan Ingram, Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, presented the award.
Neal Otto of Ponca City received the Outstanding Landowner/Cooperator Award, cosponsored by the Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma. Otto is a cooperator with and was nominated by the Kay County. Jay Pruett, Nature Conservancy, presented the award.
In addition, five teachers from across the state, one in each Congressional district, received Outstanding Conservation Educator Awards cosponsored by OACD and Chesapeake Energy. The recipients were Dana Hamersley, Sperry High School, Tulsa; Helen Fisher, Haworth Public Schools; Tina Rogers, Canton Public Schools; Odessa Bacher, Jefferson Elementary School, Norman; and Colleen Smith, Southeast High School, Oklahoma City. Matt Clark, Chesapeake Energy, and Trey Lam, OACD, presented the awards.
Excellence in Communication Awards were presented to two conservation districts and three newspaper employees for outstanding efforts to support and promote conservation. East Woods County Conservation District was honored for Outstanding Public Information Campaign. Beaver County Conservation District was honored for a year-long series of full page ads. Bridget Nash, Enid News and Eagle, and Mitch Meador, Lawton Constitution, were honored for outstanding features. Kelly Bostian, Tulsa World, was honored for an outstanding broadcast feature. Mark Thomas, OPA, and Trey Lam, OACD; presented the awards.
During the day approximately 30 display booths were presented in the Capitol Fourth Floor Rotunda by a number of the state’s 87 local conservation districts, the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and other partner agencies and organizations. The displays featured diverse conservation activities across the state that address local natural resource needs.
Conservation Districts are local subunits of state government responsible for care of renewable natural resources. Each district is a governed by a board of five volunteer directors, and cooperates with the Natural Resources Conservation Service for technical assistance.
The Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts is an independent nonprofit organization that promotes natural resource conservation through various activities as well as communication and cooperation with legislative bodies at the state and national levels.
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