The Lower Sabine Neches Soil and Water Conservation District held a reception Tuesday to recognize outgoing board members and present conservation awards. The big announcement was the creation of the first annual Michael Hoke Memorial Outdoor Awareness Day in August.
Lester Daigle reminded that Michael Hoke won the Friend of Conservation Award last year before his death. Daigle said, “It just made sense. You think of outdoors, you think of youth, you think of Michael Hoke.” The first annual Michael Hoke Memorial Outdoor Awareness Day will be August 12 at Claiborne West Park and will be for children between the ages of 8 and 14. The deadline to register with the Texas A&M AgriLife office is August 1.
Sandra Hoke (above) received a plaque in recognition of the contributions made by her husband Michael to soil conservation and the education of youth to the need to conserve natural resources. Mrs. Hoke indicated Michael loved kids being outdoors, and she thinks this camp will help combat the nature deficit disorder that so many kids suffer. “I think he would think that was wonderful,” Hoke commented for the camp being named to honor her late husband.
Jennifer Knapp an environmental geology teacher at Lamar and at Little Cypress Junior High received the outstanding Conservation Teacher Award for not only the local district, but for the whole state of Texas. Will Winfree was honored as the 2016 District and Area Conservation Rancher. The Hawk Club received the Outstanding Wildlife Conservationist Award with ranch manager Carl Grimmett accepting the award.
Social Media