Inclusivity a 2022 focus

June 1, 2022 tulsauwc No Coment

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

Stanford researchers find mental health prescription: 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:

Wear bug repellent
Take water
Make sure someone knows where you are going and how long you plan to stay
Have a map
Stay on clearly marked paths

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.

7th Annual Monarchs on the Mountain

April 23, 2022 tulsauwc No Coment

This year, over twenty programs and non-profits have worked together to craft a festival that would be accessible, safe, fun, educational and have a lasting impact on our community.

We are most excited to present our community with the opportunity to shop for native plants from two premier nurseries just in time to put them in the ground to overwinter, grow strong root systems and put on a show next Spring.

The Plant Sale will take place Saturday, September 17th, from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm on the lawn of the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area near the main trailhead located at 6850 S. Elwood Ave. in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In addition to shopping with Wild Things Nursery, A New Leaf, and Miller Statuary, visitors will enjoy visiting over thirty educational booths, engaging in hands-on activities, picking up educational materials and pollinator seed packets.

Because of limited parking availability onsite carpooling is encouraged.

Shuttle Service* will be provided from 9:00 am until 12:45. Departing from Christian Brothers Automotive Service, 7163 S Olympia Avenue.

*Shuttle service is provisional based on community spread at the time of the event. Masks are preferred to ride.

Presentations:

9:15 Sandra Schwinn, Monarch Watch Conservation Specialist-A Year of Monarchs at Prairie Acres

10:15 Brandon Gibson, Tribal Alliance for Pollinators Coordinator – Establishing Habitat with Native Plants and how to collect and start seeds for native plants

11:15 Ric Kotarsky – Working with HOAs and Municipalities

11:40 Tom Clark Tagging Monarch Butterflies, the hows and whys

Volunteer For 2022 Tulsa Ironman & Help the TUWC

April 3, 2022 tulsauwc No Coment

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.

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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

Trail Work Day 3.27.22

March 28, 2022 tulsauwc No Coment

Thank you to all our volunteers! No matter if you could only dedicate a few hours or the whole day your participation was valued!

Sincerely, Thank you.

Oklahoma’s Biggest Earth Day April 23rd

March 22, 2022 tulsauwc No Coment

The Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition will be taking part in Oklahoma’s Biggest Earth Day Celebration 2022

Event Date & Time: Saturday, April 23, 2022 from 3 PM – 7PM
Event Address: Tulsa Arts District / Guthrie Green, 111 E. Reconciliation Way, Tulsa, OK 74103TULSA EARTH COALITION is comprised of many of Tulsa’s environmental and social justice organizations: Green Country Sierra Club, Carrie Dickerson Foundation, All Souls Green Team, and many more.

PAST SPEAKERS INCLUDE: Past speakers include Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune, 350.org leader BILL McKIBBEN, International Indigenous Women’s Rights Advocate, Rights of Nature advocate, actor, Ponca tribal member Casey Camp-Horinek, community organizer Ashley Nicole McCray, OK Sierra Club Director Johnson Grimm-Bridgwater, Cherokee actress-model-activist Amber Valletta, North Tulsa activist Reverend Gerald Davis and more.