“Navigating Through Troubled Waters”

Local Conservation Representatives Attend Area Meetings of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts

(NOTE: At the bottom of this page are links to photos from the Area Meetings)

Conservation leaders discussed issues relevant to Oklahoma at the 2010 Area Meetings of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts held in five locations across the state during October and November. The meetings are sponsored by the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD) and cosponsored by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC) in cooperation with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). More than 800 conservation district directors and employees, NRCS employees, students and guests attended the five meetings.

Rogers County Conservation District hosted the Area III Meeting in Claremore on Oct. 27, Beaver County Conservation District hosted the Area I Meeting Beaver on Nov. 4, and Grady County Conservation District hosted the Area IV Meeting in Chickasha on Nov. 10. Oklahoma County Conservation District hosted the Area II Meeting in Oklahoma City on Nov. 16 and Latimer County Conservation District hosted the Area V Meeting in Wilburton on Nov. 18.

Navigating Through Troubled Waters

“Navigating Through Troubled Waters,” the theme for the meetings reflected the challenges faced by natural resource conservation entities to continue to provide essential local services despite severe budget cuts and a trend to reduce the numbers of both state and local agencies and the personnel who staff them. The number of natural resource conservation programs has continued to increase in recent years, yet the numbers of personnel to service the programs has declined. State, federal and local conservation leaders provided insight into future possibilities of consolidation of services and encouraged local directors and workers to continue to provide high quality service to local constituents.

Spotlight on Conservation Program Delivery

The “Spotlight on Conservation Program Delivery” featured outstanding success stories about local conservation districts in each area of the state.
At the Area I Meeting Blaine County Conservation District received a Conservation Commendation for “outstanding support of the North Canadian River Water Quality Project and the Carbon Pilot Program.” Cimarron County Conservation District was commended for successfully adapting the state Locally-Led Conservation Cost-Share Program to address unique local natural resource needs. NRCS commended the Texas County Conservation District and NRCS Field Service Center for assisting farmers and ranchers to implement Farm Bill programs.

At the Area II Meeting Arbuckle Conservation District received a Conservation Commendation for “successfully obligating more Locally-Led Cost-Share Program funds than any other district and for extremely effective implementation despite limited personnel.” Logan County Conservation District was commended for “support of the Oklahoma Carbon Program and no-till agriculture.” NRCS commended the Pawnee County Conservation District and NRCS Field Service Center for assisting farmers and ranchers with Farm Bill programs.

At the Area III Meeting, Adair County Conservation District received a Conservation Commendation for “outstanding delivery of conservation programs to protect water quality in the Illinois River Watershed.” Rogers County Conservation District was commended for leadership and commitment to promoting conservation education in the conservation district and other areas of the state. NRCS commended the Muskogee NRCS Field Service Center for its outreach programs including a recent Women in Agriculture and Small Business Conference cosponsored by the Muskogee County Conservation District and other sponsors.

At Area IV Upper Washita Conservation District received a Conservation Commendation for “being a leader among conservation districts with the most extensive watershed program in the state and creatively addressing challenges preemptively not yet faced by other conservation districts.” Deer Creek Conservation District was commended for “outstanding delivery of conservation programs to protect water quality and for exceptional service to the constituents of the district and the State of Oklahoma through support of Priority Watershed, Blue Thumb and Conservation Education Programs.” NRCS commended the Jackson County Conservation District and NRCS Field Service Center for assistance with Farm Bill programs.

At Area V Kiamichi Conservation District received a Conservation Commendation for “For creativity in effectively addressing watershed operation and maintenance and being the first and most consistent in the use of inmate labor in those efforts.” Hughes County Conservation District was commended for “outstanding delivery of conservation programs to protect water quality and leadership in environmental pollution awareness, conservation education, and outstanding participation with the Blue Thumb program.” NRCS commended the LeFlore County Conservation District and Poteau NRCS Field Service Center for assistance with Farm Bill programs.

Scholarships, Contests and Grants

Additionally, Dianne Jeans of Tonkawa, president of the OACD Auxiliary discussed scholarships and contests offered by the Auxiliary including a conservation photo contest in the south central region consisting of Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas that is open only to youth. Cheryl Cheadle, OCC Blue Thumb Program state coordinator, announced information about grants available to conservation districts for water quality education activities.

OACD Conservation Awards

Area winners of the OACD Conservation Awards were recognized at each meeting who will be considered along entries from the other four areas of the state in the categories of Outstanding Conservation District, sponsored by Chesapeake Energy; Outstanding District Director, sponsored by the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation; and Outstanding Landowner/Cooperator, sponsored by the Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma. The state winner will be recognized at the OACD State Meeting Feb. 27 – March 1, 2011, in Oklahoma City.

The Area I honorees were Garfield County Conservation District, Outstanding Conservation District; Jimmy Purvine, Dewey County Conservation District, Outstanding District Director; and Jim Whittrock, Kingfisher County Conservation District, Outstanding Landowner/ Cooperator.

The Area II honorees were Kay County Conservation District, Outstanding Conservation District; Walt Freese, Noble County Conservation District, Outstanding District Director; and Steve Cagle, Oklahoma County Conservation District, Outstanding Landowner/ Cooperator.

The Area III honorees were Craig County Conservation District, Outstanding Conservation District; John Clayboard Seward Jr., Wagoner County Conservation District, Outstanding District Director; and Mark and Sue Rendel, Ottawa County Conservation District, Outstanding Landowner/Cooperator.

The Area IV honorees were Washita County Conservation District, Outstanding Conservation District; Glenn Dickey, Deer Creek Conservation District, Outstanding District Director; and Loren Liebscher, Deer Creek Conservation District, Outstanding Landowner/ Cooperator.

The Area V honorees were Little River Conservation District, Outstanding Conservation District; and Randy Clifton, Kiamichi Conservation District, Outstanding Landowner/ Cooperator.

Youth Contests

The OACD Area Meetings include contests cosponsored by the Oklahoma Association of Conservation District Employees (OACDE) for youth in categories of speeches, essays and posters. Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC) sponsors awards for the OACD/OACDE Awards. First place winners in the essay and poster contests, as well as first and second place winners in the speech contest, are eligible to compete at the state level during OACD’s Annual State Meeting to be held Feb. 27 – March 1, 2011, in Midwest City.

Photos from the 2010 OACD Area Meetings

Last Modified on 11/23/2010