Join us for a In-Person & Virtual Hybrid event featuring a panel of Experts.

Make Plans

Monday Sept 23 at Gathering Place 7PM

Topics Include

• What do you envision when you hear the phrase Pollinator Paradise? 
• How do you spot an open space that has potential for transformation? 
• How can the community be included in transforming their open spaces? 
• How can a community get started transforming an open space? 
• What was something unexpected you experienced while working with community gardens? Any major lessons learned? 
• Any positive news and/or updates to share? 

Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition is known for being an informed and activated group of volunteers and community members who come together to preserve, honor, and restore our natural areas, trails, and wilderness. As a fellow trail user, I find myself sometimes focused on the physical path made by my predecessors guiding me to a place in Nature scenic and treasured. I can admire the substrate my feet pass over under a canopy of a Post Oak forest, tall grasses, and small yellow-spotted butterflies dancing together battling wind with each wing-beat. While the trail is a path to such destinations, the native inhabitants of this area look upon us in this Spring season on a journey all of their own. Let us learn of their journey and allow me to introduce you to some of this season’s finest urban wilderness wildlife.

In this photo, six Tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) hatchlings are nested inside a utility pole, discovered during the installation of new lines. Utility companies will often separate the nest-cavity from the rest of the pole to preserve and protect the nest site. Their thoughtful black eyes wait for the sound of their mother’s call ‘peter-peter-peter’ before returning with nourishment.

Above, you can see the efforts of maintenance staff to seed areas with native wildflowers over the Winter season. The blooms of that labor contribute to the sustainability and beauty of our region, where the Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) butterfly visits Oklahoma’s state wildflower, Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella). Mistletoe (Viscum album) with its white blooms served as the first state flower for 108 years until 2004. In 2004, the hybrid tea rose, ‘Rosa Oklahoma’ became our current state flower. 

In our final images, we see the new life that Spring brings to our urban wilderness. Black vultures (Coragyps atratus) are one of many bird species that mate for life, often returning to successful nest sites each year. Preferring nest sites in the cracks and crevices of large rocks, the lower image is that of one new black vulture hatchling, fuzzy with the tell-tale black beak. A parent of this baby vocalized in their language to mind our distance. 

As we use our trails, may we be reminded that our animal and plant neighbors find their home under the same canopy we enjoy. Though we use the trail for different reasons, we can come together for the love of our wild urban neighbors, sharing the brilliant ecology that makes Northeast Oklahoma so rich and beautiful in diverse life.

Photos were taken along trails at Chandler Park, Tulsa by Patrick T. Hayes, April, 2024.

While we typically refrain from commenting on legislation, there’s a bill on the table that demands our attention. If passed, it could irreparably harm our cherished recreational wild spaces. Please take a moment to read the attached letter detailing our concerns and consider adding your voice to the cause.

– TUWC

The Conservation Coalition of Oklahoma (CCO) is currently embroiled in a pivotal fight over House Bill 4118 (HB4118), known as the Right to Farm bill.

This legislation, if passed, could have far-reaching implications for the state’s natural resources and wildlife. Here’s a breakdown of what’s at stake and how various stakeholders are responding:

What is HB4118?

HB4118 aims to grant extensive rights to poultry farms, particularly in regard to waste disposal. Proponents argue that the bill will protect the poultry industry, a major economic driver in Oklahoma. However, opponents fear that the bill will lead to environmental degradation, especially concerning water quality.Opposition from CCO and Allies CCO, alongside municipalities and tourism organizations, is leading the charge against HB4118. They argue that the bill does not comply with EPA requirements and could harm Oklahoma’s natural assets. Tribal nations, including the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations, have also voiced opposition, highlighting the potential environmental and cultural impact of the bill.

Legislative Maneuvering

Despite significant opposition, HB4118 has garnered support from influential groups like the Farm Bureau and the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. This has created a challenging political landscape, with urban and rural senators divided on the issue.Current Status and Future ProspectsAs of the latest update, the committee meeting for HB4118 has been delayed until April 1st. While there is optimism that there are enough votes to defeat the bill, unforeseen circumstances, such as the inability of a key legislator to attend a vote, could impact the outcome.

Looking Ahead

The battle over HB4118 is emblematic of the broader struggle between economic interests and environmental conservation. It underscores the importance of public engagement and advocacy in shaping legislation that affects our natural resources. Stay tuned for further updates on this critical issue.

Impact on Northeast Oklahoma’s Outdoor Recreation

Northeast Oklahoma has emerged as a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wide range of recreational activities such as kayaking, fishing, rafting, trail running, and mountain biking. The region’s natural beauty and diverse landscapes have attracted visitors from across the state and beyond.

However, the passage of House Bill 4118 (HB4118) could pose a significant threat to these tourism destinations.

The bill’s provisions regarding poultry waste disposal could lead to environmental contamination, impacting the waterways and natural habitats that make Northeast Oklahoma a prime outdoor recreation area.Environmental ConcernsChicken waste, if not properly managed, can introduce harmful pollutants into the environment, including nitrogen and phosphorus. These pollutants can degrade water quality, harm aquatic life, and disrupt the delicate ecosystems that support the region’s biodiversity.

Economic Implications

The adverse effects of HB4118 on Northeast Oklahoma’s outdoor recreation areas could have serious economic consequences. Tourism is a major driver of the region’s economy, supporting local businesses and creating jobs. Any degradation of the area’s natural assets could deter visitors and undermine the tourism industry’s growth.

Community Response

In response to the potential threat posed by HB4118, local communities and advocacy groups have mobilized to oppose the bill. They argue that protecting the region’s natural resources is essential for maintaining Northeast Oklahoma’s appeal as a recreational destination.

Call to Action

As the debate over HB4118 continues, it is crucial for stakeholders to voice their concerns and advocate for sustainable environmental policies. Preserving Northeast Oklahoma’s natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities requires a concerted effort to protect the region’s environment for future generations.

Letter from CCO Members

Join us for a virtual interview on Monday, September 25th at 7PM as we celebrate the 8th annual Monarchs on the Mountain event hosted by the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition. We’re thrilled to have Sara Dykman, the author of “Bicycling with Butterflies,” and the founder of Beyond a Book, as our guest. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to engage with Sara Dykman and learn more about her journey and experiences.

The Trip:

In 2017 Sara Dykman became the first person to follow – by bicycle – the eastern population of monarch butterflies on their roundtrip, multinational, multigenerational migration. From Mexico to Canada and back, her 10,201 mile adventure,on a beat-up bicycle , was a call to action. “The monarchs need us,” Dykman explained, “they can’t call politicians to demand healthy prairies or rally for native gardens. But we can. We might not be able to fly like butterflies, but we can bike alongside them, and be their voice.”

Why monarchs?

As a whole, the migration advances at a pace a cyclist can cover. They also spread out in the millions across a landscape traced with roads, so there were few route-planning limitations. At home in backyards, school gardens, parks, roadside ditches, and the wildest places, monarchs are democratic in their reach. They are also beautiful and easy to spot, making them excellent gateway bugs and ambassadors of nature. Robustly studied yet still the subject of many unanswered questions, they are a testament to science. Threatened with extinction, the monarchs remind us what is at stake, and how important it is for each of us to do our part.

“You don’t have to quit your job and bike thousands of miles to help the monarchs,” explained Dykman. “You can plant milkweed, plant native nectar plants, and be a voice for the monarch. That’s what my trip, and my book, are all about.”

The Book:

Deftly combining travel memoir and popular science, Bicycling with Butterflies (Timber Press, April 2021) recounts Dykman’s inspirational ride alongside the monarchs. The cast of characters includes eager schoolchildren, devoted citizen scientists, skeptical bar patrons, fellow bicyclists. climate deniers, unimpressed border officials, and -of course- millions of monarchs. Dykman passionately shares the urgent plight of the monarchs and the complex science underpinning their dwindling numbers. Filled with optimism, energy, and hope, Bicycling with Butterflies is a compelling story, confirming the urgency of saving the threatened monarch migration—and the other threatened systems of nature that affect the survival of us all. “It is part science, part adventure, part love letter to nature,” Dykman explained. “I hope readers will come away with a deeper sense of connection to the land and be inspired to join the team taking care of our planet.”

“On this improbably adventure, Sara Dykman followed the extraordinary monarch migration by bicycle, and came back to write about it. She has recorded it well. Her almost incredible account captures the animal itself, the continent it crosses, and its plight with style and deep connection.” —Robert Michael Pyle, author of Chasing Monarchs and founder of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

“People have long been fascinated by the monarch butterfly’s migration across the North American continent. Thanks to this book, readers have a better idea of what that incredible journey entails… Dykman’s enthusiasm will motivate others to be more thoughtful about their decisions.” —Library Journal

“The book is just as much a poetic travelogue as it is informative about monarch butterflies. Dykman’s research keenly supplements her experiences on the road…it may be one singular bicyclist’s word, but represents a collective cry for climate action.”—Booklist

Sara’s Bio:

Sara Dykman is the founder of beyondabook.org, which fosters lifelong learners, boundary pushers, explorers, and stewards. She works in amphibian research and as an outdoor educator, guiding young people into nature so they can delight in its complicated brilliance. She hopes her own adventures—walking from Mexico to Canada, canoeing the Missouri River from source to sea, and cycling over 80,000 miles across North and South America (including the monarch migration trip)—will empower young and old to dream big.