The story of Oklahoma is a fascinating testament to the importance of civic engagement in shaping a state. It is the story of land runs and the Trail of Tears, of quaint rural towns and vibrant urban centers, of short–term economic booms and long–term economic busts, of 20th Century oil and 21st Century clean energy. It is the story of the populism of Woody Guthrie and the pop culture inuence of Garth Brooks. It is the story of the horrors from tornados, dust storms, and terrorism, and also of the rejuvenating powers of faith, hope, and perseverance. It is the story of old and new, of how Oklahoma is perceived outside the state versus our reality as Oklahoma citizens.

To many outsiders, “Oklahoma” suggests images of the Old West, but we know the name from the Choctaw language meaning Red People. Yet, at just 103 years old, Oklahoma is one of the youngest and most dynamic states in the union. While many might perceive Oklahoma to be the land of the southern plains, Oklahoma has more than 1400 square miles of surface water in its lakes and ponds (larger than the state of Rhode Island). While some still think that surreys with a fringe on top remain the ideal way to move from place to place, in Oklahoma today people ride horses for fun, not transportation; and the only covered wagon most people see runs on Owen Field to celebrate Sooner touchdowns.

While in Oklahoma you can still watch a hawk making lazy circles in the sky, Oklahoma is also a state where three–fths of its population (total population exceeds 3.6 million people) lives in one of its two vibrant, urban areas, Tulsa and Oklahoma City. While Oklahomans still possess the strong individualistic spirit that characterized its founding, it is also the seventh most religious state in the nation. And while Oklahoma still lies in the heart of “tornado alley,” the Thunder most Oklahomans talk about these days is rolling through the NBA.

This new Oklahoma did not arise magically one day on the southern plains. Instead, it took a decades–long, concerted effort on the part of civic leaders and citizens to reshape our land, our economy, and our future. It took the efforts of government to dam up the rivers owing through this land to create the numerous man–made lakes. It took the efforts of business leaders to diversify our economy beyond agriculture and oil. It took the efforts of civic leaders to enhance the quality of life and to attract a major league sports franchise.

It is clear that Oklahomans have worked together in the past to build a better state. This report—the Oklahoma Civic Health Index – provides important details on the current state of Oklahoma's civic health and shows the willingness of Oklahomans to work together and solve today's most pressing problems.

The pages that follow will highlight some areas where Oklahoma's civic health falls short—areas where Oklahoma needs to improve if we are going to continue moving forward. But this report also will detail some incredible successes, examples of how each day Oklahomans are working together to improve their communities, to boost their economy, and to enhance their quality of life. In other words, the century–old sooner spirit of civic engagement, civic pride, and civic energy continues to lift Oklahoma higher.

This is Oklahoma … and this is our story.