The Oklahoma Water Resources Research Institute, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and 4-H Clubs of Oklahoma would like to thank all of the students that participated in our first Water Conservation Essay Contest. We received 141 essays and would like to thank all of the parents, teachers and 4-H leaders who encouraged such great participation.

We received several innovative and new ideas as well as new takes on old ideas that will be submitted to the OWRB during the planning process of the current update of the State’s Comprehensive Water Plan.

A special thank you to Chesapeake Energy and Sierra Club of Oklahoma for allowing us the opportunity to provide such wonderful awards. Because of their generosity we awarded an iPod nanos to each of the winning essays and all of the students recognized below received a $1,000 Savings Bond.

We would also like to thank all of our judges: Mike Langston, Jeri Fleming, Alison Stone and Dr. Will Focht with OSU; Derek Smithee, OWRB; Jeff Sallee, Oklahoma 4-H; Billie Brown, Sierra Club of Oklahoma; and John Satterfield, Chesapeake Energy.

The students were recognized on Oct. 24, 2007 at the 50th Anniversary Banquet of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.

2007 Water Conservation Essay Contest winners L to R: Amber Bolinger, Michael Stith, Chase Harris, Jo Eike, Allie Barton, Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, Kelsey Bowen, Jani Hawkey, McKenzie LaValle, Kim Derby (accepting for Aaron Jackson) and Mark Nichols, OWRB Chairman.