Oklahoma conservation conversation, 04-05/2012, v.58 no. 4/5

              In This Issue
Conservation Day at the
Capitol 2012
OCC and OACD
Participate in White House
Water Quality Summit
Communicating with
	
New Producers Workshop
18th GIS Day at the Capitol
DamWatch introduced during
GIS Day at the Capitol
Gene Sawyer, 1922-2012
Stewardship Week 2012
Our vision:
Responsible care for Oklahoma’s
natural resources.
Our mission:
To conserve, protect and restore Okla-homa’s
natural resources, working in
collaboration with the conservation dis-tricts
and other partners, on behalf of the
citizens of Oklahoma.
www.conservation.ok.gov
Information for and about Oklahoma’s Conservation Districts Volume 58, Issue No. 4/5 April/May 2012
Going Green? Want to receive the electronic newsletter
instead of the paper one? Just email Mark.
Harrison@conservation.ok.gov asking to
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White House Summit, continued on page two
Conservation Day at the Capitol 2012 The Oklahoma Association of Conserva-tion
Districts (OACD) sponsored “Conserva-tion
Day at the Capitol” on April 16, 2012.
The Oklahoma Conservation Commission
cosponsored the event.
Several of the state’s local conservation
districts displayed exhibits at the event along
with partner agencies and other organiza-tions.
The exhibits were displayed in the
Capitol Rotunda on the fourth floor from
9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The displays featured
the diverse conservation activities addressing
local natural resource needs across the state.
An awards ceremony was held in the afternoon 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 also joined in the presentations.
Bill Mangels of Lenapah received the Outstanding District Landowner/Cooperator
Award, sponsored by the Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma. 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 Foun-dation.
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 Chesa-peake
Energy. The recipients were 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 in presenting Excellence in Communications awards to Oklahoma County Con-servation
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.
OCC and OACD Participate in White House
Water Quality Summit Oklahoma’s successful nonpoint source pollution program was recently part of the
discussion at a White House conference on water quality. On Wednesday, March 14,
the White House Rural Council held the Working Lands and Healthy Watersheds
Roundtable, an event that gathered a group of key stakeholders interested in farming
and ranching, conservation, and water quality to review progress in implementing
current federal conservation and water quality programs. The program was designed to
solicit insights and identify critical needs in order to improve the government’s ability
to support strong watershed projects that conserve resources, improve water quality,
and strengthen agricultural and rural communities. Oklahoma and two other states were
selected to present information on their nonpoint water quality programs and outline the
reasons for their level of success.
Craig County Conservation District accepting the
Outstanding District Award and check for $2,500
from Jimmie Hammontree, Chesapeake Energy (left);
joined by OACD President Joe Parker and Sec. of Ag.
Jim Reese (right).