Page 47 - Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine Mar-Apr2023

OKLAHOMA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION SPOTLIGHT

DARRIN HILL/ODWC able avenue it uses to communicate and
educate. That’s when the Foundation
stepped in.
Rather than lose the ground-breaking
presence that ODWC had built on TikTok,
the Foundation ponied up the funds to
buy a separate device and internet service
so the ODWC account could continue its
presence on TikTok without using any
state-issued devices or internet service. It
was just another way the Foundation was
able to jump into a situation quickly and
provide the funds needed for a solution
allowing ODWC’s vital conservation mes-
saging to continue unfettered across the
nation and around the world.

Rack Madness public scoring event culminated with a drawing for a lifetime combination
hunting and fishing license, provided by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation.
OWCF was a proud supporter of this year’s Rack Madness scoring event for
the public in February at Wildlife Department headquarters in Oklahoma City.
The grand prize of a lifetime combination hunting and fishing license was pur-
chased by the Foundation and donated to the event.

The Wildlife Department’s social media presence has drawn national atten-
tion and accolades, especially the agency’s TikTok feed. ODWC upped its game
during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and quickly capitalized on some
clever ways to communicate with nontraditional audiences via social media.
Communication Specialist Sarah Southerland is the genius behind the effort,
and her work has generated millions of impressions and attention from celebri-
ties, influencers and the mainstream media.
When Gov. Kevin Stitt issued an executive order to remove TikTok from all
state-issued devices, Southerland was afraid ODWC was going to lose a valu-

THE OKLAHOMA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION (OWCF) is engaged in a five-year program to raise
$5.2 million to further the strategic mission of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Since the Wildlife Department has operated on a limited budget for more than 100 years and doesn’t receive
appropriated state tax dollars, funds raised by the Foundation are among the best methods to more rapidly
advance the Department’s strategic plan. Because many ODWC projects qualify for a 3-to-1 or 9-to-1 federal dol-
lar match, donations to OWCF can be multiplied and bring more and better projects to Oklahoma more quickly.
Funds raised by OWCF support wildlife research and management, multi-year conservation projects, community
outreach programs, and outdoor recreation projects. OWCF’s mission cannot be achieved without the support of
community partners, philanthropic foundations, and donations from individuals who want to make
a difference for future generations.
All donations are tax-deductible. To learn more about OWCF and how to help, go to
www.OKwildlifefoundation.org, www.facebook.com/OKWildlifeFoundation, or email Grundman at
rgrundman@okwildlifefoundation.org, or call (918) 323-5566.

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