Agricultural News
Awards Handed Out at Conservation Day Celebration at the State Capitol
Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:46:33 CDT
The Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD) sponsored "Conservation Day at the Capitol" on Monday. Cosponsors included a number of the state's 87 local conservation districts, the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Districts.
The event was held in the Capitol Rotunda on the fourth floor. Participants had exhibits on display featuring the diverse conservation activities across the state addressing local natural resource needs.
On Monday afternoon, the Conservation Day awards presentation took place in the Governor's Blue Room. Jim Reese, Oklahoma Sec. of Agriculture represented Gov. Mary Fallin and joined Joe Parker, president of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, in presenting awards. Representatives of sponsoring organizations were also at the Capitol to join in the presentations.
Bill Mangels of Lenapah received the Outstanding District Landowner/Cooperator Award, sponsored by the Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma. Mangels and his family operate a 2,700 acre ranch in northeast Oklahoma, including land that has been in the family since before statehood. Farm Director Ron Hays talked after the presentation with Mangels- you can hear that conversation by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below. (and the picture above is of Mangels and his supporters receiving his award from Ag Secretary Reese, OACD President Parker and the representative from Chesapeake Energy.)
Jan Kunze of Oklahoma City, on the board of directors of the Oklahoma County Conservation District, received the Outstanding District Director Award, sponsored by the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.
Craig County Conservation District received the Outstanding District Award, sponsored by Chesapeake Energy.
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 are Julie Strange, Wagoner; Lance Bennett, Claremore; Keith Dillingham, Drummond; Adam Lifsics, Norman; and Steve Pritchard, McCloud.
Mark Thomas, executive vice president of the Oklahoma Press Association, joined Joe Parker, OACD president, in presenting Excellence in Communications awards to Oklahoma County Conservation District, Kay County Conservation District, George Plummer of KOOL 105.5 FM Radio in Chickasha, and the Thomas Tribune newspaper.
A special presentation was made to Dr. Robert E. Whitson, who is retiring as head of Oklahoma State University's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources later in 2012. Whitson was cited for his support of conservation efforts in the state- and the organization of a new department in the Division of Agriculture during his seven years in Stillwater- the Natural Resouces and Environmental Management Department.
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.
During the award presentations, the OklahomaFarmReport took pictures- and we have posted them on Flickr- click here for our set of photos of the 2012 Awards at Conservation Day at the Capitol.
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 level.
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