OACD Conservation Awards 2007

The Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts announced in December that Chesapeake Energy and the Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma will again sponsor awards for educators and landowners in 2007.

The Chesapeake Energy Outstanding Oklahoma Conservation Educator Contest

The Chesapeake Energy Outstanding Oklahoma Conservation Educator Contest is a statewide program that honors the Oklahoma school teachers who most effectively incorporate natural resource conservation learning into their class curriculum. One teacher in each of Oklahoma’s five Congressional Districts will receive an award and a $3,000 cash prize.

“Chesapeake is pleased to support the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts and to help recognize the outstanding conservation educators in Oklahoma,” said Tom Price Jr., Chesapeake senior vice president for corporate development. “Chesapeake’s commitment to environmental education is one we take very seriously. We believe environmental education is essential to ensure future generations of Oklahoma’s leaders have the knowledge base to make wise environmental decisions. Those decisions will be critical to the preservation of our quality of life and the strengthening of our economy. That’s why we think it is beneficial to honor exceptional teachers who also recognize the importance of environmental education.” Chesapeake is Oklahoma’s largest independent clean natural gas producer and its most active exploration company. The third largest independent natural gas producer in the United States, Chesapeake employs more than 4,000 Oklahomans.

“We are honored that Chesapeake is once again our partner in helping educate the next generation of Oklahomans on the importance of natural resource conservation,” Dan Lowrance, president of OACD said. “We are deeply appreciative of Chesapeake’s continued support of this program that provides encouragement for teachers to become more involved in conservation education. This commitment is another example of how Chesapeake recognizes how important it is to conserve our soil, water, air, and wildlife habitats as part of the bigger effort to build a better Oklahoma.”

“This is a great partnership between Chesapeake and OACD,” Clay Pope, Executive Director of OACD said. “By working together we can help ensure that the next generations of Oklahomans, both rural and urban, have the productive base of natural resources we now enjoy while maintaining healthy soils, clean water, and abundant wildlife. We are proud to be working together to accomplish these goals.”

The Nature Conservancy Outstanding Conservation Landowner/Cooperator Award

The Nature Conservancy Outstanding Conservation Landowner/Cooperator Award will be presented to a landowner nominated by a local conservation district for best incorporating natural resource conservation on their property. The Outstanding Landowner/Cooperator award is presented annually to the Oklahoma Agriculture Producer judged as having the most extensive and effective natural resource conservation initiative on their property. This includes efforts to conserve and protect Oklahoma’s soil, water, air and wildlife habitats through sound stewardship practices on working agricultural Land. The winner of this award will receive $1,500 and a trophy recognizing their accomplishments.

The OACD Conservation Awards also include awards for Outstanding Conservation District and Outstanding Conservation District Director.

The OACD Conservation Awards will be presented during Conservation Day at the Capitol

The winners will be announced at the OACD Annual State Meeting Feb. 25-27 and the awards will be presented in a ceremony in the Governor’s Blue Room during Conservation Day at the Capitol on March 19.