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2004 Green Award Winners
Charles and Linda have demonstrated commitment to environmental stewardship in numerous ways. Particularly noteworthy is the Shacklefords' dedication to educating themselves, their nursery customers, and their community on better ways to maintain a sustainable environment. Both have served as President of the Oklahoma Greenhouse Grower's Association where they were able to influence many Oklahoma policy changes. Other noteworthy accomplishments include a long-time commitment to integrated pest management and an early and sustained interest in the implementation of water quality best-management practices. In their nursery and greenhouse operations, the Shacklefords' continue to improve on their goal of eco-sensitive production strategies.
As Executive Director of the Metropolitan Environmental Trust (the M.E.T.), Michael Patton has worked to educate the citizens of the Tulsa area about environmental issues and offered many events in which communities, organizations, and individual can participate. Michael oversees the M.E.T. works monthly newsletter, the company web site (www.metrecycle.com), the Recycle Olympics, and many other M.E.T. activities. Michael's enthusiasm and unique outgoing personality engages people and brings out the best in them. He makes topics such as litter abatement and recycling fun. He has little trouble getting volunteers to work on events such as Downtown Tulsa Earth Week Enviro Expo, Household Hazardous Pollutant Collection events, Keep Tulsa Beautiful Day, and various community trash offs and the Oklahoma Recycling Association, he is the state president of America Recycles Day, and the national secretary of the National Recycling Coalition. The Household Pollutant Collection event that Michael oversees collects pesticides and poisons, flammable liquids, corrosive items, and other harmful household substances, which are then properly disposed of.