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Salt Plains NWR - Selenite Crystal Becomes the State Crystal
Southwest Region, April 27, 2005
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Salt Plains NWR Refuge Manager, Jon Brock was one of many attendees at the ceremonial signing of the selenite crystal bill with Governor Brad Henry on April 27th. The selenite crystal bill states that the selenite crystal is to be the State Crystal of Oklahoma. Legislation for this bill happened after a class from the OKC metro area came to the refuge to dig crystals and, impressed by the uniqueness of the area, decided that kids across the state should know about this rarity. The selenite crystal found at the Salt Plains NWR cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The hourglass-shaped sand inclusion in the selenite crystal is unique to this part of Oklahoma. Visitors come to the refuge from all over the world each year to add this crystal to their collection.

Brock presented an award to Annis Brauser and Moore's Gifted and Talented students at the commencement of the crystal digging contest at the Salt Plains Festival on April 30. Annis Brauser is the teacher in the Moore School District's Gifted and Talented Program where she and her students worked to initiate the selenite crystal legislation.

Legislation was signed by Governor Brad Henry on April 4, 2005 after it passed through the senate and the house. The bill was co-authored by Senator Wilcoxson and Representative Wesselhoft. Co-sponsoring the bill were Senator Myers and Representative Hickman.

Contact Info: Martin Valdez, 505-248-6599, martin_valdez@fws.gov



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