OKLAHOMA CITY -- Soil and water conservationist Mason Mungle, from Norman, has been recognized as an Oklahoma Water Pioneer.

Mungle served eight years on the board of directors for the Atoka County Conservation District. During that time he was on the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts executive board as an Area director and later as vice president. Mungle was appointed as executive director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission in 1986.

During his 11-year tenure, he was instrumental in developing an effective state nonpoint source pollution management program. After leaving OCC, he worked for 10 years for the Oklahoma Farmers Union as a liaison to the Legislature. An advocate of water quality monitoring, Mungle also served as the original chairman of Gov. Frank Keating's Animal Waste and Water Quality Task Force.

Since its inception in 1985, more than 100 Oklahomans have been honored with the Water Pioneer award, which is selected by sponsors of the Water Conference. Also receiving the 2008 award were Robbie Robbins, a cotton farmer and rancher from Altus, and Garner Garrison, a rural water supply advocate from Gore.

The Oklahoma Water Pioneer award, announced at the Governor's Water Conference Oct. 28, is conferred each year to those individuals who have made lifetime contributions to the planning, development, management, and conservation of Oklahoma's water resources. Duane Smith, OWRB Executive Director, presented the award to Mungle during the Conference luncheon ceremony.

The Governor's Water Conference, held annually in the fall, attracts hundreds of people from across the U.S. to discuss state and national water issues. The event is hosted by the Water Board and other water-related organizations.