This Father’s Day, treat Dad to something special — a morning of pancakes, nature, and giving back to the trails we love! The Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition (TUWC) invites you to our Father’s Day Pancake Brunch on Sunday, June 21 at Turkey Mountain.

Details

🗓 Date: Sunday, June 21, 2026

🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – until we run out

📍 Location: Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area lower lot pavilion

💵 Cost: By donation – give what you can!

What’s Cooking:

Join us for hot, fluffy pancakes straight off the griddle! Whether you’re planning a hike or just coming out for brunch, your meal supports a mission that keeps Tulsa’s wild spaces thriving.

Even More to Enjoy:

This year’s event features a silent auction with items generously donated by local businesses — outdoor gear, local experiences, unique gifts, and this year’s standout lot: a members lovingly cared for and restored 1959 Schwinn Spitfire, a Chicago-made beauty in original white and powder blue, ready to ride and ready for its next Tulsa home. It’s the perfect opportunity to bid on something special while supporting the trails you love.

Bike Specs:

• 1959 Schwinn Spitfire (Chicago made)

• White & Powder Blue step-thru steel frame with original two-tone saddle

• 26″ single speed w/ coaster brake

• Original front/rear fenders and chainguard

• Refurbished bearings, bottom bracket, headset

• Ready to Ride

Why It Matters:

All proceeds benefit the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition, directly supporting trail maintenance and educational programs that preserve and protect Tulsa’s urban wilderness for generations to come.

Bring the whole family — and your best dad jokes! This is a come-and-go event starting at 9:00 AM and going until the pancakes (and syrup) run out.

Want to Do More?

Interested in volunteering, donating auction items, or sponsoring the event? Contact us at sponsorship@tuwc.org.

Stay in the Loop:

Follow TUWC on social media for updates and sneak peeks at auction items. Don’t forget to tag your brunch moments with #BrunchForTheWild.

Make this Father’s Day one to remember — with great food, great people, and a great cause.

We’ll see you on the trails! 🥞🌲🎁

We wanted to share an important update regarding the Trail Work Day previously scheduled for March 29.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, this date is no longer viable and the event has been canceled. We understand this may be disappointing, and we appreciate your flexibility as we work through these changes.

Our team is actively coordinating a new date, and we will share those details as soon as they are confirmed.

Lake Bixhoma remains a priority project for the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition. The planned improvements and trail work are still very much moving forward—we’re simply shifting the timeline to ensure the best possible outcome.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to building and maintaining Tulsa’s urban wilderness spaces. We look forward to getting back out on the trail with you soon.

The Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, invited trail bosses across North East Oklahoma to participate in a sustainable trail design and construction training at the Pearl Jackson Preserve.

We were excited to bring in Mike Crockett of Anthrocene Contracting, based in Silverton, Colorado. Mike has more than 14 years of experience in sustainable trail construction and regularly contracts with the United States Forest Service. Throughout his career, he has trained thousands of volunteers, land managers, and conservation staff in best practices for designing and building durable, sustainable trails.

Mike and TUWC board member Stephanie first met many years ago while working in the Conservation Department together at Philmont Scout Ranch in northeast New Mexico. Their shared experience in the field and long-standing connection made it possible to bring this training opportunity to Tulsa.

In conversations with Mike, we discussed a flexible training format that could support trail planning efforts at the preserve. One idea was to offer a smaller session focused specifically on trail design for the forested corridor that had been identified as a potential location for a future trail.

We designed a trail with Mike’s expertise and then began building it using the techniques we had learned. The goal was to create a trail that is sustainable and able to withstand long-term use.

We were excited to bring together so many outstanding organizations for this training — the City of Tulsa, City of Sand Springs, Keystone Ancient Forest, Tulsa Botanic Gardens, Claremore Trails, Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition, The Nature Conservancy, Muscogee Nation, and Tulsa County Parks.

Join the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition for a focused trail workday at Ray Harral Nature Park in Broken Arrow as we take on invasive species removal, with special attention on lespedeza. This workday is a critical step in protecting native plant communities and maintaining the health of this well-loved public green space.

Lespedeza is an aggressive invasive plant that crowds out native species, reduces habitat quality for wildlife, and alters soil health. Removing it by hand is labor-intensive but highly effective — and it’s work that directly improves the long-term resilience of the park. Every volunteer hour makes a measurable difference.

This workday is well-suited for both returning volunteers and first-timers who want to learn more about invasive species management and hands-on stewardship. TUWC will provide guidance on identification, removal techniques, and why this work matters beyond a single trail corridor.

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What to Expect

Hands-on invasive species removal

Education on lespedeza and its impact on native ecosystems

Collaboration with fellow volunteers who care about local trails and wild spaces

9AM – Noon

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What to Bring / Wear

Water

Long pants

Long-sleeve shirt

Sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots

Gloves (if you have them)

Loppers (if you have them)

Manual / pocket chainsaw (if you have one)

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Ray Harral Nature Park is an important natural asset for Broken Arrow, offering trails, wildlife habitat, and everyday access to nature. Workdays like this help ensure the park remains healthy and accessible for years to come.

Show up, dig in, and help us care for the places we all share.

Contact Peter at the TUWC with any questions or concerns.

Contact Miranda at Ray Harral with Questions.

the TUWC will have waivers on site to complete.

Join The Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma and the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition for a meaningful morning of hands-on conservation at the Pearl Jackson Crosstimbers Preserve. This special volunteer workday offers exclusive early access to the preserve before it opens to the public — a rare opportunity to experience and care for one of Oklahoma’s unique Crosstimbers landscapes.

Volunteers will assist with trail building and the cleanup of existing firebreaks, helping prepare the preserve for future public access while supporting long-term land stewardship goals. Whether you’re an experienced volunteer or new to conservation workdays, your time and effort will directly contribute to the health and accessibility of this protected space.

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Important Registration Requirement

This event requires advance registration through The Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma.
Because the Pearl Jackson Crosstimbers Preserve is not yet open to the public, directions and access details will only be provided to registered volunteers via email. Walk-ups cannot be accommodated.

Event Schedule

• Arrival: 8:45–9:00 AM
• Wrap-up: 1:00 PM

What to Bring / Wear

• Water bottle
• Hat
• Long pants
• Long-sleeve shirt
• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Weather Appropriate Attire

Tools and on-site instruction will be provided.

Additional Details

The exact meeting location and a mandatory release form will be sent by email after registration is completed. Please monitor your inbox as the event approaches.

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For questions or additional information, contact Bridget Wunsch at
volunteeroklahoma@tnc.org

This is a unique opportunity to support conservation work in a preserve few have seen. Register in advance, come ready to work, and help prepare this landscape for its future as a public wild space.