News Release

COLUMBUS, OH -- Larry Vance, chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Soil & Water Conservation, has received the 1999 Professional Service Award from the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) for his role in building one of the nation's foremost statewide conservation programs.

The national award recognizes Vance for many years of leadership in strengthening the conservation district program in Ohio, where he has been chief of ODNR's Division of Soil & Water Conservation since the division was established in 1981. During that time Vance has led the state's 88 local soil and water conservation districts into many new program areas, including "no-till" conservation tillage, stormwater management, stream protection and nutrient management.

The award was presented earlier this month at the NACD's national convention in San Diego, California. Vance and his wife, Marian, live in Delaware, Ohio.