Nonprofit Organization Award (annual budget less than $100,000) for Environmental Improvement - Oklahoma Master Natualists, Edmond

Mother Nature couldn’t hope to find better informed, more protective friends than the members of the central chapter of the Oklahoma Master Naturalists.  In order to be the best possible volunteers, they acquire special training in fields such as habitat stewardship, wildscaping, tree identification, entomology and water monitoring.

Last year, they spent an exhaustive August day creating a bird blind to show at the annual Wildlife Expo, attracting 45-thousand people.  Since then, chapter members have undergone three days of training to become Blue Thumb volunteers, and spent four Saturdays completing Habitat Stewards Training.

All along, the Oklahoma Master Naturalists have given of their personal time to numerous events, discussions and causes.  No wonder our judges used phrases such as “an awesome corps of volunteers” and “a completely invaluable resource” to describe their impressions.

Members of the central chapter of the Oklahoma Master Naturalists, your unrivaled volunteer excellence in managing natural resources is an inspiration to all Oklahomans, and tonight we salute you!