The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The ConocoPhillips SPIRIT of Conservation Migratory Bird Program has awarded a $100,000 grant to The Nature Conservancy for the restoration of migratory bird habitat at the J.T. Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve in the Ozarks of northeastern Oklahoma. 

“Conserving the natural habitat of migratory birds has been a primary focus of ConocoPhillips’ charitable giving since the 1970s,” said Ed Burke, Manager of Brand and Community Relations at ConocoPhillips. “Through our SPIRIT of Conservation Migratory Bird Program and long-standing relationship with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, we are pleased to award this grant to the J.T. Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve whose land restoration efforts will help improve important nesting, stopover and wintering habitat for many grassland and forest birds.” 

Migratory birds cover large distances and must have stopover habitat to rest and feed along their seasonal journeys. The J.T. Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve provides critical stopover habitat along an important migratory route, and the new grant will support The Nature Conservancy’s efforts to restore prairie, savanna and forest ecosystems used by a variety of birds during migration.

“ConocoPhillips’ contribution comes at an important time for our program,” said Mike Fuhr, State Director for The Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma. “In North America, grassland birds are among the fastest declining avian species and critical bird habitat in the Great Plains is among the most threatened landscapes. With ConocoPhillips’ support, our conservation efforts for this program have a positive impact in reversing this decline.”

On August 9, staff for Senator James Inhofe (invited) and State Representative Mike Brown will join ConocoPhillips, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Nature Conservancy at the J.T. Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve to observe prairie restoration initiatives that will be supported by the new grant. Activities will include a wildflower seed processing demonstration and a habitat restoration tour.

The ConocoPhillips SPIRIT of Conservation Migratory Bird Program is a partnership between ConocoPhillips, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that supports conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. About The Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma The Nature Conservancy has worked to conserve Oklahoma’s magnificent landscapes and unique biodiversity since 1986. Using a strategic, science-based planning process, called Conservation by Design, we identify landscapes that, if conserved, promise to conserve biodiversity over the long term. The Oklahoma Chapter has protected lands totaling over 90,000 acres. Visit The Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma on the web at www.nature.org/Oklahoma.

About the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Created by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a non-profit organization that preserves and restores our nation’s native wildlife species and habitats. The Foundation leverages public dollars with private funds to address the most-pressing conservation needs.  For more information, go to www.nfwf.org.


About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

About ConocoPhillips
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ConocoPhillips has operations and activities in 30 countries and approximately 16,500 employees as of June 30, 2012. Production averaged 1.59 million BOE per day for the six months ended June 30, 2012, and proved reserves were 8.4 billion BOE as of Dec. 31, 2011. For more information, go to www.conocophillips.com.



CONTACTS:
The Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma    Katie Hawk 405-858-8557
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation    Donn Waage 612-564-7284
ConocoPhillips                Davy Kong 281-293-2701