Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, awards Creek County Rancher/Farmer Odell Alexander as 2022 “Conservationist of the Year”

Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, awards Creek County Rancher/Farmer Odell Alexander as 2022 “Conservationist of the Year”

  • Donnie Stephens CCCD Board Chairman, Nick Jones, NRCS, District Conservationist of Team #11, Odell Alexander, OACD’s Conservationist of the Year, Ted Alexander, CCCD, Board Vice Chairman, and Chris Clemens NRCS District Conservationist for Team 17 for Okmulgee County. courtesy photo
    Donnie Stephens CCCD Board Chairman, Nick Jones, NRCS, District Conservationist of Team #11, Odell Alexander, OACD’s Conservationist of the Year, Ted Alexander, CCCD, Board Vice Chairman, and Chris Clemens NRCS District Conservationist for Team 17 for Okmulgee County. courtesy photo
  • From left, Ted Alexander, CCCD Board Vice Chairman, Donnie Stephens, CCCD Board Chairman, Carmen Bruner, CCCD Board Member, Chris Jones, NRCS_ District Conservationist of Team #11, Dwight Luther, CCCD, Board Treasurer and Excell La Fayette, Jr. CCCD Board Member courtesy photo
    From left, Ted Alexander, CCCD Board Vice Chairman, Donnie Stephens, CCCD Board Chairman, Carmen Bruner, CCCD Board Member, Chris Jones, NRCS_ District Conservationist of Team #11, Dwight Luther, CCCD, Board Treasurer and Excell La Fayette, Jr. CCCD Board Member courtesy photo

    On February 26-28, 2023, The Oklahoma Association Conservation Districts (OACD), held its 85th Annual State Meeting and 2023 Partnership Awards luncheon in Oklahoma City.

    This year’s theme of the annual meeting was “Borrowed Time” Strategically preparing for inevitable disasters.

    The meetings were three days of multiple training sessions, updates on policies and procedures regarding safe and healthy conservation best practices for the state of Oklahoma. Some of the topics of discussions in the session were: Youth Scholarship Programs, Results of Climate Change, Carbon Markets, Watershed Assistance, Monitoring Dam Easements & Okie 811 Ticket Response to name a few of the topics.

    The OACD NRCS Partnership Awards Luncheon were for directors, employees and special guests. The highlight for Creek County was the announcement of the 2022 “Conservationist of the Year” is Bristow’s own rancher and farmer Mr. Odell Alexander.

    Mr. Alexander was selected for his participation in the state’s multiple conservation programs, implementing bests practices and being a great steward of the land, creeks and streams on his property in Creek County.

    The luncheon also featured a live onstage interview with Mr. Sherman Lewis, Creek County and Oklahoma’s 1st Black NRCS employee, he’s currently the President and Owner of The Lewis Group LLP., he was interviewed by Xcaret Nunez, of KOSU radio.

    Other outstanding awards went to Mrs. Rhonda Bowman of Wagner County as the “Outstanding Conservation District Employee”. Mrs. Bowman has been a great help and support in service to the Creek County Board members. Lastly Scotty Herriman of Nowata County as “Outstanding District Director.”

    A special acknowledgement was that most of the higher-level award winners were from Northeastern Oklahoma counties that were greatly impacted by last year’s serious drought conditions and how implementing the OACD’s best practices help save the land.