Pontotoc County Conservation District

Free water well testing!

Free Well Water Testing!

Private well water is unregulated meaning well owners are responsible for testing and maintaining their household drinking water. Oklahoma State University Extension, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at Oklahoma State University and OWRC is partnering to host a fourteen county free well water testing event in Southeast Oklahoma.

Participants, including those who do not live in the counties, can bring their well water to any of the 14 locations to get it tested.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/40yfBed

In 2025, the OSU Extension Soil, Water, Forage Analytical Laboratory analyzed 28,210 soil samples from across Oklahoma.

Before you plant or fertilize, know what your soil needs. A simple soil test helps you apply nutrients accurately, avoid over-application and make informed decisions for lawns, gardens and pastures.

Start with the soil. Learn how to submit a sample through your local OSU Extension office at the link below.
🔗: https://okla.st/3MCjlc6

GRIP application period opening Monday February 2nd and closing March 4th

We are happy to announce the first of three in our habitat management workshops series. Come join us as we walk through the How’s and Why’s of prescribe burning. We have we have the area’s top experts leading us through the planning stages of your prescribed burn project. If you're interested in an conservation, restoring the natural landscape, creating wildlife habitat while conserving water this workshop for you. Next workshop in the series will be the actual burn, executing the burn plan. Completing this series will be an analysis of the impacts on the burned area.
Come join us for a fun and informative evening. Dinner will be provided and maybe a surprise raffle or two.

Fighting Fire with Fire Workshop in Ada, OK!
Learn how to use prescribed fire to reduce wildfire risk and improve the land.

Hands-on Prescribed Fire Demonstration (Weather permitting)

December 9th, 2025
9:00am - 4:00pm

Pontotoc County Agri-Plex
1710 N Broadway Ave D
Ada, Oklahoma 74820

Who Should Attend:
- Firefighters
- Landowners
- Emergency Planners
- Anyone with an interest in controlling wildfire fuel loads

Lunch Provided
RSVP by December 3rd to
[email protected] or 405-522-4303

Learn More conservation.ok.gov

Oklahoma Conservation Commission
Pontotoc County Conservation District
Oklahoma Prescribed Burn Association
Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts

Have old chemical lying around that you don't know what to do with? Hazardous waste day coming up!!

Household Hazardous Waste Day is this Saturday, December 6th!

Now is a good time to start prepping fire breaks for your early spring prescribed burns!

Not All Firebreaks are the Same

GOOD FIREBREAKS
Bare Ground: Dozed, bladed or disked
Exiting Road: County, ranch, lease roads
Mowed Line: Mowed months beofre & wet-lined at burn
Crop Field: Green or cultivated
Waterbody: Creek, stream, river, lake

BAD FIREBREAKS
Narrow Mowed Line: Fire can creep, flames may reach across
Mowed Just Before Burn OR Tall Stubble Height: Piled thatch & standing vegetation

BETTER FIREBREAKS = SAFER BURNS
Prepare in Advance: months to weeks before ideal burn day
Wider is Better: 10 ft minimum, allow room for vehicles passing

Check out the Firebreaks for Prescribed Burning Factsheet!
https://bit.ly/OSUFirebreaks