Conservation Day at the Capitol 2007

Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts Sponsors "Conservation Day at the Capitol" March 19, 2007

OACD Will Present Outstanding Conservation Awards During Daylong Event

The Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD) will sponsor Conservation Day at the Capitol on March 19. Cosponsors include a number of the state's 88 local conservation districts, the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The event will take place in the Capitol Rotunda on the fourth floor from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Participants will have exhibits on display featuring diverse conservation activities across the state that address local natural resource needs.

There will be an awards presentation at 10:00 a.m. in the Governor's Blue Room on the second floor. Sec. of Agriculture Terry Peach will join OACD President Scotty Herriman in presenting the OACD Conservation Awards for 2007. Three categories will be presented, sponsored by Chesapeake Energy, the Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma and the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.

Joe Jeter of Copan will receive the Outstanding Landowner/Cooperator Award, sponsored by the Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma. Jeter is a cooperator with and was nominated by the Caney Valley Conservation District.

Paul Brown of Chickasha, on the board of directors of the Grady County Conservation District, will receive the Outstanding District Director Award, sponsored by the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.

East Woods County Conservation District will receive the Outstanding District Award, sponsored by Chesapeake Energy.

In addition, five teachers from across the state "one in each Congressional district "will receive Outstanding Conservation Educator Awards cosponsored by OACD and Chesapeake Energy. The recipients are Shannon Chatwin, Tulsa; Shirley Nelson, Talihina; Tracy Leeper, Alva; Jyme Tyner, Chickasha; and Nellie Patterson, Edmond.

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.