Honoring Oklahoma's Environmental Champions
Every year, KOB gathers Oklahoma's environmental community to celebrate the people and organizations making this state cleaner, greener, and more beautiful.
The Environmental Excellence Celebration is our biggest night of the year — an evening of recognition, connection, and commitment to Oklahoma's future.
Event Details
36th Annual Environmental Excellence Celebration
Thursday, October 29, 2026
Reception 5:30 PM | Dinner and Awards 6:30 PM
National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum 1700 NE 63rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73111
About the Evening
The Environmental Excellence Celebration is KOB's signature annual fundraising gala — an evening that brings together 500+ environmental leaders, community organizers, business professionals, and public officials from across Oklahoma. The night includes dinner, an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding environmental work across the state, a silent auction, raffle, and other activities benefiting KOB's statewide environmental programs.
The reception begins at 5:30 PM with cocktails, conversation, and silent auction bidding. Dinner and the awards ceremony follow at 6:30 PM.
Get Involved
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Become a Sponsor: Put your brand alongside Oklahoma's environmental leaders. Sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations of all sizes.
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The EEC silent auction and raffle benefit environmental programs statewide. We welcome donations of gift certificates, experiences, products, and services from Oklahoma businesses.
Board Award Winners
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Lifetime Achievement Award
2026 | Jennifer Wasinger, Freese and Nichols
2025 | John Gooden, Kingfisher Trails
2024 | Mark Bays, Oklahoma Forestry Service
2023 | Lisa Synar, Oklahoma City Beautiful
2022 | Bret Scovil, City of Norman -
Champion Volunteer Award
2026 | Paul Streets, City of Midwest City
2025 | Virgil Turner, Former KOB Board Member
2024 | Julie Maher, Ardmore Beautification Council
2023 | Barbara Santee, Ardmore Beautification Council
2022 | Cynthia Brindley, Oklahoma City Beautiful -
Environmental Advocate Award
2026 | Shanon Philips, Oklahoma Conservation Commission
2025 | Ellen Bussert, Oklahoma Recycling Association
2024 | Bud Ground, Common Ground Consulting
2022 | Justin Lawrence, Oklahoma Shirt Company -
Vanguard Award
2026 | Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Cherokee Nation
2025 | Senator Dave Rader, Oklahoma Senate District 39
2024 | Sustainability Alliance
2023 | East Oak Waste Management
2022 | Galvanic Energy -
Towering Spirit Award
2026 | Ralph Richardson, Home of Hope
2025 | Michele Loudenback, City of Norman
2024 | Tracy Horst, Choctaw Nation
2023 | Bronco Bites & Lillian Timber Farms
2022 | Oklahoma Water Resources Board -
Visionary Leadership Award
2026 | Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, State of Oklahoma
2026 | Representative Mark Lawson, Oklahoma House District 30
2025 | Drew Edmondson, Former Attorney General of Oklahoma
2024 | Scott Thompson, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality
2023 | Blue Thumb Program, Oklahoma Conservation Commission
2022 | Growing Hope Program, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
2026 Sponsors
The Environmental Excellence Celebration is made possible by organizations committed to Oklahoma's environmental future. Thank you to our 2026 sponsors.
2026 Award Categories
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Board Awards
- Gail Ederer Champion Volunteer Award
- Towering Spirit Award
- Environmental Advocate Award
- Vanguard Award
- Visionary Leadership Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award -
Community Awards
- Business Excellence Award
- Government Excellence Award
- Higher Education Excellence Award
- Communal Excellence Award
- Collaborative Excellence Award
- Environmental Law Enforcement Excellence Award
- KOB Affiliate Organization Champion Volunteer Award -
Sponsor Awards
- ODOT Great American Cleanup Awards
- OG&E Spring Cleaning Micro-Grant Awards
- HIS Paint Manufacturing Co. Communities Primed for Change Award
Sponsor the EEC
The Environmental Excellence Celebration brings together 500+ of Oklahoma's most engaged environmental advocates, business leaders, and community organizers. Sponsoring the EEC puts your brand at the center of that conversation.
EEC sponsorships include reserved seating, logo recognition, event program placement, and visibility with Oklahoma's environmental community. Packages are available for organizations of all sizes.
Click here to learn about 2026 sponsorship opportunities, or send an email to eec@keepok.org.
