2005 Alumni Award for Outstanding Environmental Accomplishment

Ilda Hershey received her M.S. degree from the OSU Environmental Science Program in 2001.  In May of 2002, she became an Environmental Programs Specialist (Water Quality Division) for the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.  She is extremely valued at DEQ where she has revamped the Water Quality Grant program and served as a model for others.  Ilda has assisted the DEQ with many environmental education projects such as the H2Oklahoma Water Festival and the Science Fest.  Shortly after joining DEQ, Ilda volunteered for the “Green Team”, an informal group of employees dedicated to greening the agency, and has spearheaded many projects.  Locally, Ilda is most active in the Stillwater Recycling Coalition and Sustainable Stillwater.   She helps organize and deliver public education events, coordinates communication with the City of Stillwater and other community organizations and plays a key role in formulating long-range plans.  Ilda is a founding member of the Oklahoma Sustainability Network and has served on the conference committee annually since its inception in 2002.  This year she served as the conference chair.