Science Museum Oklahoma received the Mayor’s Award for its sustainability features, including grounds’ pollinator areas, composting program, water reuse system, recycling efforts and more. Museum President and CEO Sherrie Marshall, center, accepts the award from Mayor’s Chief of Staff Bailey Siber and OKC Beautiful Board President Marla Freeman. – Photos by Carl Shortt



The Oklahoma City Beautiful Distinguished Service Awards recognize businesses, organizations and individuals who have helped improve the beauty and environmental health of Oklahoma City. 

The individuals and groups being honored represent those in Oklahoma City working to create a more beautiful and sustainable community.

Receiving the Rookie Award is Allen Parleir. He is the vice president of the board of OKC Beautiful.

Lisa Synar presents Christian Keesee with the Pendleton Woods Lifetime Achieve Award. As chairman of the Kirkpatrick Foundation and president of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, Keesee has been instrumental in supporting a wide range of community service efforts in Oklahoma.

Linda Horn is the recipient of the Morrison Graham Tucker Award. She is presented with the honor by Suzanne Tucker.

Leslie Caldwell and Kelli VanderMass accept the President’s Special Recognition Award from Trinity Norwood on behalf of International Interior Design Association (IIDA) & Scott Rice. Concerned about the amount of waste created in the interior design industry, the IIDA launched an annual Zero Landfill event, where they collect discarded samples from the year and provide for free back to the community.

Bailey Siber and Dr. Mucki Wright accept the Community Spirit Award on behalf of OKC’s Sister Cities Chapter for the art piece “Connections: Oklahoma City’s Global Family” at OKC Will Rogers International Airport. This three-dimensional multimedia installation not only beautifies the airport, but also shows the connection to OKC’s Sister Cities around the globe.

Allen Parleir is presented the Visionary Award by Fenton Rood. Allen has been an incredible champion of environmental stewardship, waste reduction, production of organic produce and creation of pollinator habitat in Oklahoma City.

Jordon Davis and Steve Petty receive the Aubrey McClendon Corporate Award for the Lynn Institute Community Garden at Expand Energy. Launched in 2023, this garden is intended to provide a fresh produce source for neighbors in need of access to healthy foods.