In 1999, the Board of Directors for Keep Oklahoma Beautiful passed a resolution instituting a LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD an award to be given, only when warranted, to a person whose consistent excellence, dedication to purpose and proved effectiveness significantly contribute to the beautification of Oklahoma.

The choice for KOB's first-ever LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD was easy and it was unanimous. The beautiful walnut and crystal trophy was presented to JOANNE ORR, the Beautification Coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Joanne, with ODOT for 29 years, established the Beautification Office just 12 years ago and has instituted programs, designed promotions, inaugurated practices and blazed a trail of highway beautification that's brought a number of top awards to her personally and have shed a very favorable light on Oklahoma.

When you know that Joanne has been the charge behind such activities as ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY,THE STATEWIDE ANNUAL TRASH OFF, STUDENT LITTER POSTER CONTEST, WILDFLOWER WORKSHOPS AND WILDFLOWER PLANTINGS, THE LITTER HOTLINE, THE GOVERNOR'S HUBCAP AWARD PICNIC, AND THE MILLION DOLLAR HIGHWAY TREE GRANT PROGRAM, you begin to understand why this first-ever honor is hers.

JOANNE ORR - EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD NEWS FOR OKLAHOMA'S ENVIRONMENT!