05-18-2007, 08:10 PM
Outdoor recreation education programs will be enhanced in the state thanks to a strengthened relationship between the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the University of Central Oklahoma.
At its May meeting, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission voted to approve a memorandum of understanding to work with UCO to develop and increase outdoor recreation in Oklahoma.<br />
"The Wildlife Department has already been partnering with UCO for the last three years to host the Oklahoma Archery in Schools state tournament," said Nels Rodefeld, information and education chief for the Wildlife Department. "This is a great way to work toward many of our common goals in outdoor education."<br />
Department officials say the cooperative effort with UCO will remain focused on the Archery in Schools program. Coordinated by the Wildlife Department, the Oklahoma Archery in Schools program is part of a national program that partners state wildlife agencies, schools and the nation's archery industry to introduce students to the sport of archery. About 6,500 Oklahoma students participated in the program last year. Around 400 students competed April 26 on the UCO campus in the annual state tournament, a two-fold increase over last year.<br />
"The Archery in Schools program gets students interested in the outdoors and introduces them to a lifelong activity that can lead to a richer quality of life," Rodefeld said. "But we'll be working with UCO on other projects as well, like conservation education and other shooting sports education activities."<br />
Steve Kreidler, executive vice president at UCO and guest at Monday's meeting, attended the state tournament and told the Commission he was excited about the future of working with the Wildlife Department.<br />
"We believe that participation in outdoor sporting activities leads to character development," Kreidler said.<br />
Kreidler said the students involved in Archery in Schools are "learning sportsmanship, ethics and character through this program."<br />
"We're very excited to work with you all to get that to the next level," Kreidler told the Commission regarding the Archery in Schools program.<br />
According to Rodefeld, generating interest in the outdoors through education opportunities like the Archery in Schools program helps wildlife.<br />
"When people become interested in outdoor recreation, they are more likely to buy outdoor-related products and do outdoor-related activities like hunting and fishing," Rodefeld said. "Wildlife conservation efforts in Oklahoma depend on that because the Department doesn't receive any general state tax revenues. It's funded by outdoor enthusiasts who buy hunting and fishing licenses and also by special federal taxes on sporting goods."<br />
The Commission also recognized UCO and its staff Monday for helping host the state tournament.<br />
Four hundred students competed in archery shooting events at the third annual state tournament, shooting a total of more than 16,000 arrows. Several teams received invitations to the national Archery in the Schools tournament slated for June 9 in Louisville, Ky. Additionally, the top three shooters in each age group received medals and prizes. First place winners received a new bow, second place winners received a dozen new arrows and third place winners took home a new bow carrying case. They also qualified for the national tournament.<br />
In other business, Ken Greenwood with NatureWorks told the Commission about the special Oklahoma Centennial Duck Stamp print. The Department worked with NatureWorks to commission nationally-renowned wildlife artist Scot Storm to paint the scene of "Hackberry Flat Mallards." The painting serves as a special tribute to the Oklahoma Duck Stamp program and the state's centennial.<br />
"Only 100 copies of the special centennial painting were printed. We sold our allotment in about 24 hours, but some of the prints can still be purchased at Ducks Unlimited banquets." Rodefeld said.<br />
NatureWorks is a national organization dedicated to assisting wildlife conservation efforts. Its annual art show has generated funds that have benefited several conservation and habitat projects in Oklahoma.<br />
The Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Wildlife Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.<br />
The next scheduled Commission meeting is set for 9 a.m. June 4 at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters (auditorium), located at the southwest corner of 18th and North Lincoln, Oklahoma City.
At its May meeting, the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission voted to approve a memorandum of understanding to work with UCO to develop and increase outdoor recreation in Oklahoma.<br />
"The Wildlife Department has already been partnering with UCO for the last three years to host the Oklahoma Archery in Schools state tournament," said Nels Rodefeld, information and education chief for the Wildlife Department. "This is a great way to work toward many of our common goals in outdoor education."<br />
Department officials say the cooperative effort with UCO will remain focused on the Archery in Schools program. Coordinated by the Wildlife Department, the Oklahoma Archery in Schools program is part of a national program that partners state wildlife agencies, schools and the nation's archery industry to introduce students to the sport of archery. About 6,500 Oklahoma students participated in the program last year. Around 400 students competed April 26 on the UCO campus in the annual state tournament, a two-fold increase over last year.<br />
"The Archery in Schools program gets students interested in the outdoors and introduces them to a lifelong activity that can lead to a richer quality of life," Rodefeld said. "But we'll be working with UCO on other projects as well, like conservation education and other shooting sports education activities."<br />
Steve Kreidler, executive vice president at UCO and guest at Monday's meeting, attended the state tournament and told the Commission he was excited about the future of working with the Wildlife Department.<br />
"We believe that participation in outdoor sporting activities leads to character development," Kreidler said.<br />
Kreidler said the students involved in Archery in Schools are "learning sportsmanship, ethics and character through this program."<br />
"We're very excited to work with you all to get that to the next level," Kreidler told the Commission regarding the Archery in Schools program.<br />
According to Rodefeld, generating interest in the outdoors through education opportunities like the Archery in Schools program helps wildlife.<br />
"When people become interested in outdoor recreation, they are more likely to buy outdoor-related products and do outdoor-related activities like hunting and fishing," Rodefeld said. "Wildlife conservation efforts in Oklahoma depend on that because the Department doesn't receive any general state tax revenues. It's funded by outdoor enthusiasts who buy hunting and fishing licenses and also by special federal taxes on sporting goods."<br />
The Commission also recognized UCO and its staff Monday for helping host the state tournament.<br />
Four hundred students competed in archery shooting events at the third annual state tournament, shooting a total of more than 16,000 arrows. Several teams received invitations to the national Archery in the Schools tournament slated for June 9 in Louisville, Ky. Additionally, the top three shooters in each age group received medals and prizes. First place winners received a new bow, second place winners received a dozen new arrows and third place winners took home a new bow carrying case. They also qualified for the national tournament.<br />
In other business, Ken Greenwood with NatureWorks told the Commission about the special Oklahoma Centennial Duck Stamp print. The Department worked with NatureWorks to commission nationally-renowned wildlife artist Scot Storm to paint the scene of "Hackberry Flat Mallards." The painting serves as a special tribute to the Oklahoma Duck Stamp program and the state's centennial.<br />
"Only 100 copies of the special centennial painting were printed. We sold our allotment in about 24 hours, but some of the prints can still be purchased at Ducks Unlimited banquets." Rodefeld said.<br />
NatureWorks is a national organization dedicated to assisting wildlife conservation efforts. Its annual art show has generated funds that have benefited several conservation and habitat projects in Oklahoma.<br />
The Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Wildlife Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.<br />
The next scheduled Commission meeting is set for 9 a.m. June 4 at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters (auditorium), located at the southwest corner of 18th and North Lincoln, Oklahoma City.