Devon donates lease cancellation proceeds

Also Monday, Devon executives said they donated the proceeds from canceled leases on tribal land in Montana to support land conservation and tribal efforts in Oklahoma.

Devon donated $100,000 to The Nature Conservancy, $40,000 to the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic and $25,000 to the American Indian College Fund, the company said.

Devon in November 2016 agreed to cancel decades-old federal leases on sacred tribal land in northwest Montana. The 15 leases date back tot he early 1980s and were acquired by Devon in a merger about 16 years ago.

They were among the last federal oil and gas leases in the Badger-Two Medicine area of the Lewis and Clark National Forest.

“Devon cares deeply about the environment. We want to make sure our actions align with our company values,” Hager said. “The Nature Conservancy provides a reliable, efficient way to make sure funds are used for an outstanding cause.”

The donation to The Nature Conservancy will support the Chickasaw Nation’s efforts at the 490acre Oka’ Yanahli Preserve, which encompasses two miles of the Blue River in southeast Oklahoma.

The Natural Conservancy will use the money for research, water quality

monitoring and to help clean up private dumps and fencing, said Mike Fuhr, Oklahoma state director for The Natural Conservancy.

“This gift from Devon will help us be proactive in protecting the Blue River and the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer,” Fuhr said in a statement. “We are grateful Devon and the Chickasaw Nation understand the importance of protecting this jewel of native Oklahoma.”

The gift to the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic will help improve access to lifesaving breast cancer and colorectal cancer screenings for women, CEO Robyn Sunday-Allen said.

“We are thankful for our partnership with Devon

and its commitment to supporting the OKCIC and the patients we serve,” she said in a statement. “Our mission of providing excellent health care to American Indians, and our vision to be the national model for American Indian health care, face challenges. These contributions allow us to provide specialty care for the population of women that we serve.”

The contribution to the American Indian College Fund will support the more than 6,500 scholarships the group awards annually to Native American students, Devon said.

Devon shares gained 10 cents, or 0.3 percent, Monday to close at $33.31 on the New York Stock Exchange.