The City of Norman's Division of Environmental Resilience and Sustainability (DoERS) was recently recognized by the Oklahoma Water Environment Association (OWEA), scooping up the Environmental Sustainability Award at the First Annual OWEA Awards Luncheon held on January 24, 2025, in Oklahoma City. This latest accolade adds to DoERS' growing list of awards, highlighting the division's effective strategies and programs geared towards a greener, more sustainable community. According to a statement obtained by the City of Norman, the division has bagged three major honors in less than a year.
Celebrating this new milestone, Michele Loudenback, the Environmental and Sustainability Manager at DoERS, shared the division's vision, "Our mission is to protect public health, safeguard natural resources, and advance sustainability in Norman.” DoERS has crafted numerous environmental initiatives such as stormwater and water quality programs to ensure residents have access to clean water, an electronics waste collection for eco-friendly disposal of obsolescent gadgets, and the Norman Solar Initiative which advocates for solar energy utilization, as per the City of Norman.
Among the imaginative sustaining efforts led by DoERS, noteworthy projects include the Blue Neighborhood Pilot Project that introduces nature-based strategies to support watershed health and Pollinator Habitat & Education Workshops that reinforce biodiversity and ecological enlightenment. Moreover, their Rain Barrel Promotions and Community Cleanup Events foster water conservation and public involvement in ecological restoration. Providing a hub for sustainability education, GreenNorman.org plays a crucial role as the central resource for the community.
Michele Loudenback expressed pride in her team's creative prowess, citing, "We continuously seek creative, research-driven solutions to address Norman’s environmental challenges. Our team’s passion and expertise drive our success." Echoing the significance of teamwork and innovation, the City of Norman reported that Environmental Programs Supervisor Michelle Chao had earlier been named Stormwater Innovator of the Year by the Oklahoma Floodplain Managers Association (OFMA), while DoERS' Blue Neighborhood Initiative was awarded the Ron Flanagan Gold Project Award.
With an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, DoERS continues to implement impactful strategies to promote sustainability. "Our team is committed to making a lasting impact,” Loudenback added. “Through collaboration, and forward-thinking strategies, we are shaping a cleaner, greener Norman for future generations.” As DoERS collects accolades and fosters change, the City of Norman advances toward a more resilient and sustainable tomorrow.
