The 2023 Arva Award is named in honor of preservationist and author Arva Moore Parks for excellence in preservation advocacy. Scott Silver has been a trial lawyer and real estate investor in Miami over the past 40 years. In the area of historic preservation, Scott has been involved with Dade Heritage Trust as a director, advisor, and legal counsel. Working on matters as diverse as Miami Marine Stadium and the original Miami Circle, he has also spearheaded a nine-year battle over an incredibly rich archaeological site at the MetSquare location. As chairman of the Deering Estate Foundation, Scott paved the way for a diverse, cultural, and scientific environment, founding the Deering Estate Seafood Festival, artist in residence programs, and multiple cultural events. He has worked with the Smithsonian on environmental research, and with the Miami-Dade County archaeology division on the preservation of artifacts dating back 10,000 years.