Comanche County Conservation District Wins Pickup Truck

Comanche County Conservation District Manager David Kuntz standing in front of the district office with the district's new pickup truck.

Comanche County Conservation District won a pickup truck in a drawing held at the state meeting of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts in Midwest City Feb. 22-24, 2009. Chesapeake Energy donated the truck for use by a conservation district.

The drawing for the vehicle was open to any of the state's 88 conservation Districts current with its dues and with at least one district director registered for the entire OACD state meeting. Additional tickets were given to districts for each additional director registered. The drawing for the truck, a quarter-ton four wheel drive fleet vehicle, was held place on the night of Feb. 23 at the close of the annual meeting's Legislative Banquet. Erma June Hewes, a board member since 1982, drew the winning ticket.

"The district recently bought a skid steer (compact track loader)," said Comanche CCD Manager David Kuntz. "When we were considering that purchase, the directors asked how I would move it because the truck I was using wasn't big enough," David said. "I told them 'we'll cross that bridge when we come to it' and they went along with that," David said. "Well, I guess that bridge is crossed now!"

“Chesapeake Energy has been a long time supporter of conservation in Oklahoma,” Scotty Herriman, president of OACD said. “We are extremely excited that they have so generously donated this truck to help further conservation work in our state. They are truly committed to the conservation and protection of our soil, water, air and wildlife habitats.”

“It’s an honor for Chesapeake to partner again with the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts,” said Tom Price, Jr., Chesapeake Senior Vice President – Corporate Development and Oklahoma County Landowner/Cooperator. “Donating this truck is a way we at Chesapeake can help highlight the importance of environmental responsibility and further the conservation work which is critical to maintaining a high quality of life in our state.”

Chesapeake is Oklahoma’s largest independent natural gas producer and its most active exploration company. It employs thousands of Oklahomans directly and indirectly on company-operated wells across the state.

“We are so appreciative of Chesapeake Energy and their continuous support of Conservation in Oklahoma,” Clay Pope, executive director of OACD said. “Through the company’s continued support of conservation programs and now this latest donation, Chesapeake is once again showing their strong commitment to the natural resources of Oklahoma. We are so happy to have them again assisting us in accomplishing our goals of conserving and protecting our states soil, water, air and wildlife habitats.”