Cross earns Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Award

Press Release

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahomans from across the state and five former governors with a strong passion for their communities came together for Keep Oklahoma Beautiful’s (KOB) 30th Annual Environmental Excellence Celebration, held virtually on Friday, Nov, 20th at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

Among the award winners was Hannah Cross, who received the Youth Acievement Award.

KOB, a statewide non-profit, recognizes Oklahomans doing their part to preserve the beauty and sustainability of this state. This year, more than 70 individuals, communities, businesses, municipalities, state agencies and more from across the state were recognized for their work in the past year. The Keep Oklahoma Board selected six individuals or groups as recipients of the prestigious board commendations awards.

This year’s Board award recipients were as follows: Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribe: Bison Program for the Towering Spirit Award. Melody Martin with OG+E for the Visionary Leadership Award. Lyn Land of KOB Affiliate Wild about Piedmont was honored with the Environmental Advocate Award. The Cherokee Nation for the Vanguard Award. Ed Brocksmith was given the Champion Volunteer Award. Last, but not least, Gail Ederer the former KOB executive director  was honored posthumously with our Lifetime Achievement Award.

Each year, KOB hosts the Environmental Excellence Competition, where the public nominates groups and individuals for their efforts to benefit Oklahoma. The nominations are presented to a panel of guest judges from the community, who determine finalist and winners in various different categories.

“I absolutely love this event where we can honor so many deserving individuals and groups for the good they do all across our state.” Said Jeanette Nance, executive director of KOB.

The local winners in those categories included: Hannah Cross, Youth Achievement Award
Cross created a community bike share program allowing citizens to check out bicycles using their library cards. The bike rentals are free, with helmets and locks also available at no cost. Additionally, she organized a group of community volunteers and OSU Healthy Living employees who created a bicycle path for Newkirk.