Call to action: Support wildlife conservation, oppose HR 8167

Wildlife conservation is one of the longstanding aims for the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition, so it seemed important to tell our membership about legislation moving through Congress that could have a dramatic impact on those efforts.

House Resolution 8167 would repeal the federal firearms excise tax and dramatically reduce the excise tax on fishing equipment. Laws that enacted these taxes were created at a time when hunters, anglers and conservationists became concerned about dwindling populations of wild game and other species.

Funds raised through these taxes go directly toward wildlife conservation. Since these programs were enacted, species such as deer, elk, wild turkey, various waterfowl and more saw dramatic comebacks.

In Oklahoma, the state’s Department of Wildlife Conservation receives a large portion of its budget from matching federal funds provided by the excise taxes in question.

HR 8167 would replace the excise taxes with revenue raised from federal offshore oil and gas leases. But those funds, by design, would only provide half the funds currently raised by the excise taxes.

HR 8167 is opposed by 43 hunting, conservation and gun rights groups, including the NRA.

What we see is a unified front consisting of hunters, shooting enthusiasts, anglers and conservationists who recognize what we see: The excise tax has been a win-win program for everyone and a longstanding conservation success story.

But HR 8167 has its supporters: 58 co-sponsors, including U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin.

What we would like to ask of TUWC members is to contact your congressional representatives and tell them to scrap HR 8167. If we lose wildlife conservation funds, we will lose wildlife at the places we like to go. Should HR 8167 become law, we will definitely lose funding. A loss of funding will harm wildlife populations and diminish species diversity.

Find out who your congressional representative is and let them know you oppose HR 8167. Write or call their offices in Washington, D.C., or at their local offices here in Oklahoma.

Tulsa-area congressmen are:

Kevin Hern: https://hern.house.gov/

Markwayne Mullin: https://mullin.house.gov/

Frank Lucas: https://lucas.house.gov/

For more, read this editorial from the Tulsa World: https://tulsaworld.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-firearm-tax-repeal-would-harm-conservation-hunters-interests/article_3d9c62b2-0d1a-11ed-b1c4-2b92166be689.html

Or read this writeup from the Conservation Coalition of Oklahoma: https://oklahomaconservation.org/wildlife-conservation-2/

Join the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition and River Parks Authority on July 10th at the Upper Lot!

We plan to start at 8AM to beat the heat.

Come prepared with water and sturdy shoes.

Our projects for the day include the following:

• Erosion control (trail rebuilding) we will need volunteers with tools for this task.

• Pruning some trails have become overgrown – please bring work gloves and loppers if you have them.

• Trash Pick Up

You may have noticed that the TUWC continues to strive to make wilderness more accessible to users from all walks of life. 

As we enter June this will become even more evident as we join with Tulsa in celebrating pride month! 

Why are we doing this? As the global pandemic unfolded we saw suicide rates climb among youth in the LGTBQIA+ community. 

NPR: Nearly half of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide, survey finds

Many studies suggest that spending time in nature can reduce thoughts of self harm. 

Cornell: Spending time in nature reduces stress, research finds

Harvard: Sour mood getting you down? Get back to nature

Yet spending time in the wilderness is largely viewed as a cisgender activity. We would like to break this stereotype. 

With all the new trails going in around Tulsa there has never been a better time to explore wild surroundings and take in some fresh air. 

Things to do before you go. Look up leave No Trace ethics. Knowing these 7 principles will help you to have a successful visit to your local escape. 

Of these here are the very most important:

If anyone would like to have a more seasoned guide for a first visit on the trails please contact the TUWC board to make arrangements. 

Do you have friends participating in Ironman?

Do you love giving back to Tulsa?

Do you enjoy cheering for athletes at the peak of their performance?

The Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition is proud to partner with IRONMAN Tulsa to provide volunteers for the race!

STEP 1 (step one of two)• Please sign up using this link and designate that you are volunteering with the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition (you must complete this step first).

(You must make this designation at the time of sign-up. If you have already signed up you can cancel your sign-up and then re-reserve your slot and designate the charity as the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition for the exact same slot!)

STEP 2 • NEW FOR 2022 We have to keep a list of volunteers too! Please sign up as a TUWC Volunteer here.

If you do not do both your volunteer hours will not be credited to the TUWC.

By donating your time you help to raise funds for the TUWC!

These funds go to our insurance costs so we can keep doing the work you have come to expect from us!

1. Decide where you want to volunteer.
2. Be sure to designate you are with the TULSA URBAN WILDERNESS COALITION
2. Choose your time and area and fill out the form
3. Watch your email for more information
4. See you race day!

For more information or questions, email Peter at peter AT tuwc DOT org