Join the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition for a hands-on trail workday at Lake Bixhoma, where we’ll be focused on trail maintenance and invasive species clearing. This workday supports the long-term health of the trail system and helps protect native habitat in one of the region’s most important outdoor recreation areas.

Volunteers will assist with clearing invasive vegetation along trail corridors and completing general trail maintenance tasks to improve safety, accessibility, and sustainability. This type of work is essential for keeping trails open and resilient while reducing the spread of invasive plants that compete with native species.

This workday is open to both new and returning volunteers. No prior experience is required — TUWC will provide instruction on safe techniques, tool use, and why this work matters beyond a single day on the trail.

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What to Expect

• Trail maintenance and corridor clearing
• Invasive species removal
• Stewardship work that directly improves trail conditions

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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)

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Lake Bixhoma provides recreation, wildlife habitat, and access to nature for the surrounding community. Trail workdays like this ensure these spaces remain healthy, usable, and protected for future visitors.

Make plans to join us, put in meaningful work, and help care for Lake Bixhoma’s trails.

Contact Peter with any questions.

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.

As the year comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to pause, reflect, and appreciate what this community made possible. The Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition exists because people show up — with gloves on, tools in hand, and a shared belief that access to quality wild spaces matters. This year proved, again and again, what happens when stewardship and community meet.

After more than a decade of work, we’re proud of where our roots began and how deeply they’ve grown. What started as a small group of committed advocates has become a network of volunteers, partners, and land managers working together to care for Tulsa’s public wild spaces. We’re excited to see where our branches lead us — and soon, we’ll be announcing exactly where those branches are heading next.

Throughout the year, TUWC coordinated workdays across multiple trail systems, supported land managers in maintaining and improving access, and continued to advocate for responsible, sustainable trail use. From trail maintenance and erosion control to ecosystem education and behind-the-scenes planning, every effort contributed to healthier landscapes and better outdoor experiences for everyone.

Just as importantly, our community continued to grow. Volunteers returned month after month. First-timers became regulars. Conversations sparked learning, debate, and deeper understanding of how we balance access with stewardship. We remained committed to studying evolving industry trends and adapting how we communicate so education, transparency, and local relevance stay central to our mission.

This year also laid critical groundwork for what’s ahead. New partnerships, expanded coordination with land managers, and early planning for future trail systems mean our impact will continue to grow. The work doesn’t stop when a season ends — it compounds.

As we move into the new year, we’re grateful for every volunteer, member, partner, and supporter who trusted us with their time and energy. If you’ve been meaning to get involved, the coming year is your moment.

Thank you for being part of this work — on the trail, behind the scenes, and in the conversations that shape how we care for Tulsa’s wild spaces.

9AM – Noon

Meet in front of the Visitor Center

What to bring / wear:

Tools (optional)

***** Should you bring personal tools please clearly label them so you can make it home with what you brought.

*******note – we do not expect any one volunteer to provide everything on this list, pick one or two things

• Gloves
• Closed Toe Shoes
• Water

• Lopper/Pruner (with your name on them)
• Hand saw (non-power like a bow saw or folding saw) and small Axe/Hatchet

Project list: