Blake Shelton Joins State's Wildlife Conservation Effort

Oklahoma's Own Blake Shelton is working to boost the state's wildlife conservation efforts.

The country music superstar and lifelong outdoorsman, has been named a founding board director for the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation.

The non-profit organization was formed over the summer to raise money for Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation projects. Shelton was introduced to the outdoors in Oklahoma at an early age and says he is honored to serve on the board.

"When I was 10, my dad took me out into the woods deer hunting with him and it changed my life forever,” Shelton said. “Healthy fish and wildlife, and the opportunities to get outdoors, make Oklahoma a special place to live."

The ODWC does not receive any tax dollars. It is funded by hunting and fishing license sales, federal grants and donations.

The foundation says it will work directly with ODWC to ensure donations go directly toward conservation enhancement projects.  The OWCF says private donations will help ODWC complete projects faster and with more efficiency.

Some examples of those projects include stream rehabilitation, public land acquisition, wetland development, big game herd health studies, upland game bird habitat restoration and gun range development and renovation.

Wildlife conservation is a passion of News On 6 anchor Tess Maune, who also will serve as a founding board director.