Oklahoma Dept. Of Wildlife Renames HQ To Honor Nation's Longest-Standing Wildlife Commissioner

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has renamed its Oklahoma City headquarters to honor its longest-serving Wildlife Commissioner.

John Groendyke is not just the longest-serving wildlife commissioner in Oklahoma, he's the nation's longest-serving wildlife commissioner with 44 years of service under his belt. The Wildlife Commission is the governing body over the Wildlife Department. It’s made up of eight members appointed by the governor.

Governor David Boren appointed Groendyke back in 1976. He’s served under eight governors during that time. And after 44 years, he decided it’s time to step down as District 8’s wildlife commissioner, which serves northwest Oklahoma from Ponca City to Boise City. The Wildlife Department celebrated Groendyke's service to the agency and wildlife conservation on Monday at the newly named "John D. Groendyke Wildlife Building."

Groendyke leaves a lasting legacy.

He's been involved in the negotiating and purchase of more than 200,000 acres of Oklahoma’s 1.5 million acres of public land. He also spent years as the chairman of the finance and retirement committee. He leaves the department on a high note. It’s in strong financial standing and it’s also seeing a big jump in hunting and fishing license sales.

“We’re one of the few states that has a growing number of people that are participating in outdoor activities,” he said. “I think the department has done an excellent job with youth programs, the fishing programs, the shotgun in the school's program, the STEP program and other programs like that gives everybody the opportunity to learn about the outdoors and enjoy it. I’m proud of that.”

Groendyke said he's made a lot of friends, seen Oklahoma's most beautiful places, and hopes he made a difference. And he's honored the commission voted to name the headquarters after him but gives the department’s employees credit for its success.

"This is has been one of my true loves in life, conservation and the Wildlife Department and I'm pleased and have a lot of pride in the work they have done over the years and the passion the employees have shown toward the projects we have had and all and it's just been a great, great experience," said Groendyke. “These people have these jobs because they have a passion for conservation and wildlife management and the work they do. It’s nice to have people that have that much desire to do the things they do.”

Groendyke called his four decades as a wildlife commissioner a ‘good run,’ but said the time is right to step down.

“It was a good time, after 44 years, I’m 76 years old and I kind of thought it was time to step aside and let someone that I know has the great capabilities to take the job over and take it forward into the future,” Groendyke.

Chad Dillingham has now moved into the Groendyke’s spot on the commission.

“I’m very pleased that the Governor picked Chad Dillingham [as the new District 8 Wildlife Commissioner]. I’ve known Mr. Dillingham for a long time,’ said Groendyke.

Groendyke will still stay busy, he's a board director for the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation and works closely with a number of other conservation groups, including The Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma.