Oklahoma chapter Sierra Club awards    nomination form

by Awards Committee Chair, Susie Shields

 Annually, the Oklahoma Chapter presents both internal awards to our own volunteers for Sierra Club work and external for environmental accomplishments outside the Club.  Nominations are sought each year through the website and chapter newsletter. Following is list of these awards with previous winners from the last fourteen years starting with 2004 (which were given in spring 2005) in parentheses.

1.  OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD

        Traditionally given to one Sierra Club member who has worked consistently and outstandingly at the Chapter or Group level, contributing his/her time and talent in a way which has been of significant benefit to the Oklahoma Chapter. (Suzette McDowell-RE/Tom Libby-OKC/David Franklin-OKC/Chris Corbett-OKC/Judy Reid-GC/Mike Opitz-RE/Charles Wesner-RE/Susie Shields-OKC/James Gosvener-RE/Sandra Rose-RE/Paul Chandler-OKC/Mike Arnett-OKC/Mark Derichsweiler-RE(2)/Bill Westcott-GC.

2.  AWARDS FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN  . . .

        Awards given to individual members for work done at the group or chapter level which is beyond the normal call of duty.  That is, a person who is a committee chair at the group level who performs his or her duties at the standard level may be deserving of an award at the group level but not at the chapter level, while a person or chairperson who devotes significantly more effort than is expected, or makes particularly outstanding contributions in some way, may be deserving of recognition of distinguished service.  Distinguished service awards may be given for work in various areas, e.g., outings, conservation, political activism, legislative, administration or overall efforts.  Only a limited number of these awards should be given in any one year, (e.g., three or four).  (Nancy Smart/Aubrey Arrington, Charlie Transue, Rick Poland/Sandra Rose, Larry Swanson, Paul Moore, Patty Hawkins/Tom Libby, Phil Simpson, Paul Moore, Mike Bialas/Jonie Windham, Esther Houser, James Ewbank, Lynn Musslewhite, Jim Long/Gloria Long, Kathi Knipfer, Mike Opitz, Pam Allen/Joan Nicholson, John Raeside, Leslie Chandler, David Thompson/Val Corzine, Mark Derichsweiler, Bill Westcott, Kathy Thomas/Tim Stebler, Rick Hedgepath, Paul Chandler, Sandra Rose/Susie Shields, Joe Dennis, Martha  Brown, Glenda Murphy, Carol Shaw/Malcolm Smith, Diane Trotter, Margaret Ayers, Tonya Norby/Jayne Nelson, Mike Arnett/Peggy Bass, Liz Covell/Deanna Lawson, John Jenkins, Linda Adkins, Sharron Bell/Judy Reid, Connie Byrum, Jim Long, Lori Sand/Marsha Gore, Vickie Hinton, Tom Briggs, Chris Corbett)

3.  OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVANT AWARD

        Award given to an Oklahoman for outstanding commitment and/or public service consistent with the conservation ideals of the Sierra Club, sometimes in the face of opposition or personal cost.  Often given to a politician or government official.  (Atty. Gen. Drew Edmondson/Fenton Rood, ODEQ/Ed Brocksmith, STIR/Marion Hutchison (conservation work on impacts of climbing)/Garner Stoll (City of OKC planning director)/Patsy Bragg (research on Tulsa drinking water quality)/Dr. Chris Corbett (ODEQ Board member-Sierra Club rep.)/Rep. Laura Boyd/Sen. Paul Muegge/David Ligon (wrote legislation)/Lowell Brown (blew whistle on Corp. Comm./Sen. Bernest Cain/Rep. Don McCorkell)

4.  CONSERVATION JOURNALISM AWARD

        Award given to an individual or organization, generally in the print, TV or radio media for outstanding reporting on environmental issues.  (Adam Wilmoth, Daily OK/Shauna Lawyer Struby, OK Gazette/Shaun Schafer & Ziva Branstetter, Tulsa World/Oklahoma Today/Infinity Press/Mitch Ballard--Four States Outdoors/Tulsa World/Ed Montgomery, Norman Transcript/Scott Thompson, Channel 6/Larry Lago, OK Bus. News/Joan Morrison, Muskogee Phoenix, Margaret Ruff, OK Wildlife Federation/Brent Hardin, Ch. 6)

5.  EARTH CARE AWARD

        Award given to an environmentally conscious business or organization. particularly one that promotes recycling efforts.  (Bob Waldrop & OK Food Cooperative/Staples & Joe Lada/Fort Sill Recycling Center/The Village at Central Park (Tulsa)/Habitat for Humanity ReStores (Tulsa/Oklahoma City/Norman)/East-West Auto Parts (Tulsa)/The Earth (OKC)/Midgard Corp (OKC)/ Pratt Foods (Central OK)

6.  ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AWARD

         Award given to an individual, special group, or institution providing the greatest effort to inform citizens (general public, students, or special target groups) with information that would be valuable to their process of critical thinking and decision-making in the areas of environmental education.  (Gina Lagaly—Eco-Motion/Suzanne Spradling-Oklahoma Consortium for Environmental Education/Jim Horne & Maura McDermott, Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture/Neil Garrison--Martin Park Nature Center/Dan Butler—Oklahoma Conservation Commission/Carolyn Mathews—Glenpool Middle School/Michael Patton--The M.e.t./Suzette Hatfield—Oklahoma Family Farm Alliance/Pat Morton--Connors State College)

7.  CARRIE DICKERSON AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP IN CONSERVATION

        Very special award given to an individual for long-term, total commitment and outstanding leadership in the area of conservation.  This award is not given on a regular basis.  It represents the highest award given by the Oklahoma Chapter.  (Suzette Hatfield/Mark Derichsweiler/Carrie Dickerson)

8.  MARVIN BAKER LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Very special award given to an individual who has exhibited a lifetime of personal commitment to the Sierra Club and its issues.  First award presented in 2001. This award is not given on a regular basis.  (Charles Wesner/Marvin Baker)

Added in 2003 to be given only if very deserving recipient is found:

·         Ed Kessler Bulldog Award for never letting go (Earl Brewer & John Bruno, CPASA/Ed Kessler, campaign finance reform & more).

·         Outstanding Grassroots Activism Award for a grassroots group that organized to protect a special environmental treasure in Oklahoma (CPASA--Citizens for Protection of the Arbuckle Simpson Aquifer).

Nomination Form

Click here to download a pdf version of the form that you can mail in or e-mail the info to sshields@cox.net