Oklahoma www.ok.govOklahoma Conservation Commission

OCC logo2800 N. Lincoln, Suite 160
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
(405) 521-2384 - FAX (405) 521-6686
www.conservation.ok.gov


(From left) Conservation Commissioners George Stunkard and J.T. Winters Jr., OCC employees Mark Harrison and Dwain Phillips, and Commissioners Dan Lowrance, Virginia Kidd and Rick Jeans. Harrison is holding a copy of the book, Out of the Dust - The History of Conservation in the 20th Century. Phillips is holding a Governor's Commendation presented to OCC for its work on the book.

Oklahoma Department of Libraries Deputy Director Vicki Sullivan presented the Governor's Commendation at the July commission meeting. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts collaborated on the development and creation of the book and OACD published it. Above, from left, are NRCS State Conservationist M. Darrel Dominick, Vicki Sullivan, OCC employees and the book's authors Mark Harrison and Dwain Phillips, OCC Chairman Rick Jeans and OACD President Dan Lowrance.

Governor Commends Conservation Commission for Out of the Dust

Governor's Commendation is hereby presented to Oklahoma Conservation Commission for its outstanding publication Out of the Dust: The History of Conservation in Oklahoma in the 20th Century by F. Dwain Phillips and Mark S. Harrison, A 2004 American Library Association Notable Document

Oklahoma Department of Libraries Deputy Director Vicki Sullivan presented a Governor's Commendation on behalf of Gov. Brad Henry to the Conservation Commission for its contribution to Out of the Dust - The History of Conservation in Oklahoma in the 20th Century. Sullivan made the presentation during the monthly meeting of the Conservation Commission on July 5 in Oklahoma City.

The American Library Association's Government Documents Roundtable Notable Documents Paned selected the book as one of 10 notable government documents in the nation for 2004. The panel's selections were announced in the May 15, 2005, issue of the Library Journal published by the American Libraries Association. The following is an excerpt of the Journal's accompanying review:

"This classy agency history portrays the efforts of a state agency, a federal government agency, and a volunteer association in addressing a major environmental challenge in Oklahoma: soil conservation. Oklahoma has been a leader in identifying both the problem and its solutions. Out of the Dust outlines the development of soil conservation districts following the Depression era Dust Bowl and the first upland flood control projects in the nation. The document's design successfully presents the narrative and specific detail in a manner that encourages repeated reading and referencing."

The book is available in the Oklahoma Historical Society's book store or by contacting Clay Pope, executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, at 405.699.2087, claypope@pldi.net, P.O. Box 61065, Oklahoma City, OK, 73146-1065.