Outstanding conservation landowner/cooperator in Oklahoma to be named

As part of their continuing commitment to Oklahoma and the health of its environment, The Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD) has announced that they once again will join forces to honor the efforts of the Citizens of Oklahoma who protect and conserve our natural resources by presenting the Nature Conservancy Outstanding Conservation Landowner/Cooperator Award to the Oklahoma landowner chosen for best incorporating natural resource conservation on their property. 

“We are honored to again have the Nature Conservancy as our partner in furthering conservation in Oklahoma,” Joe Parker, President of OACD said.  “Their sponsorship of this award and their commitment to protecting and conserving our natural resources is greatly appreciated.”

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.  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 the accomplishments at the Governors Conservation Awards Ceremony at the Blue Room of the State Capitol during the spring legislative session.

“The Conservancy prides itself on developing collaborative, market-based approaches to conservation that aim to conserve Oklahoma’s diverse landscapes for future generations to use and enjoy,” said Mike Fuhr, the Director for The Nature Conservancy in Oklahoma.  “These approaches are only successful when done in partnership with landowners – no single organization can do it alone.  That’s why we feel it’s so important for the Conservancy to work with a group like OACD to help honor an excellent steward of the land.”

The Nature Conservancy is a leading international, nonprofit organization that conserves plants, animals and natural communities representing the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.  To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the conservation of more than 14 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 117 million acres in 28 countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific.  In Oklahoma, The Conservancy is best known for it Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Osage County.

“This is a great partnership for the Nature Conservancy 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 work with our partners at the Nature Conservancy to accomplish these goals.”