Conservation District Week 2008

Governor Brad Henry has proclaimed March 9-15, 2008, as Conservation District Week in Oklahoma.

Tools for Conservation Districts:

To download a sample news release in Word format, click here.

To download a printable pdf format copy of the Proclamation, click here.

Sample News Release

For Release March 2008 For more information contact ___________________, (____) ________ Conservation District, (_____) _____________________________.
Governor Proclaims Conservation District Week March 9-15
Conservation Day at the Capitol on March 19

Oklahoma City - Governor Brad Henry has issued a proclamation designating March 9-15, 2008, as Conservation District Week in Oklahoma. Since the days of the Dust Bowl, conservation districts have been leaders in setting priorities for local natural resource conservation needs.

"It is my sincere hope that this proclamation will prompt Oklahomans to find out more about their local conservation district office and its services to the community," said Mike Thralls, executive director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. According to Thralls, Conservation District Week is an opportunity to promote yearlong public awareness. Each conservation district office will be distributing information on their services as well as practical tips on the conservation of water and other natural resources. Many conservation district offices will also use the occasion to offer an "open house" to the public, Thralls said.

"Oklahoma's conservation districts played a vital role in transforming the state's land resources from the Dust Bowl to a productive state of diversified agriculture," Thralls said. "And the tremendous response to Oklahoma's state-funded Conservation Cost-Share Program demonstrates how vital district services are today."
Conservation district directors and personnel work closely with schools, agencies and organizations to provide local educational opportunities like outdoor classrooms for youth. They supply timely information and practical advice about natural resource management practices, coordinate cost-share programs designed to prevent soil erosion, play an active role in community affairs and promote conservation at local events.

Conservation District Week is also important to the public because it gives citizens a voice in choosing those who oversee the operations of the conservation district office," Thralls said. Registered voters can make their choice for conservation district director position No. 1 on Tuesday, March 11. Five district directors serve on each conservation district board, three of whom are elected by the public. The other two are nominated by the local board and appointed by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. The three elected positions are staggered so one of the three faces election in March of each year.
"We invite all Oklahomans to take the time to visit their local conservation district office this year to get acquainted with the services and information available there," Thralls said.

___________(first and last name)____________________, chairman of the ____________________ ______________ Conservation District, stressed the need for public understanding of the district's work. "Our goal is to ensure the local office is helping land users meet the specific natural resource management needs of our area," said ________(last name)_____________, adding, "our partnership with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service helps make that goal attainable."

Conservation Day at the Capitol is set for Monday, March 19, with displays in the fourth floor rotunda. During the daylong activities OACD Conservation Awards will be presented in a ceremony in the Governor's Blue Room beginning at 10:00 a.m. The awards are cosponsored by Chesapeake Energy, the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation and the Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma.

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(Wording of the Conservation Week Proclamation)

WHEREAS, the care and proper management of our natural resources are essential to the quality of life and the future of all Oklahomans as well as Oklahoma’s economy; and

WHEREAS, Conservation Districts are the primary local natural resource connection for the citizens of Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS, Conservation Districts provide the delivery system for Oklahoma’s conservation program through local leadership and representation for the orderly development and coordination of a practical conservation program for natural resources in close cooperation with many agencies and citizens; and

WHEREAS, the Conservation District program provides educational opportunities for adults and youth; maintains the state’s upstream flood control infrastructure; reclaims abandoned coal mine land; manages nonpoint source water quality programs; administers soil and water conservation related cost-share programs; supplies timely information and practical advice on natural resource matters; and attains results that further the conservation and orderly development of our natural resources;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Brad Henry, Governor of the State of Oklahoma, do hereby declare the week March 9-15, 2008, as

CONSERVATION DISTRICT WEEK

in the State of Oklahoma.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma to be affixed.

Done at the Capitol, in the City of Oklahoma City, this 28th day of January, in the Year of Our Lord two thousand and eight, and of the State of Oklahoma in the one hundredth year.

Brad Henry, Governor
M. Susan Savage, Secretary of State