Do you have strong feelings about trails? Like, real feelings — the kind that make you stop mid-run to pick up someone else’s trash, or send you down a two-hour rabbit hole reading about erosion control? Then we might need to talk.

The Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition is seeking new board members, and we’d love for one of them to be you.

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What We’re Looking For

We’re not after a particular job title or resume — we’re after people who genuinely care about protecting and stewarding the urban wilderness in our backyard. Turkey Mountain, Chandler Park, Keystone Ancient Forest — these places matter to a lot of people, and we want board members who feel that in their bones.

Specifically, we’d love to connect with folks who:

What the Commitment Actually Looks Like

We know your time is not unlimited. That’s why we designed board membership to be genuinely manageable.

Here’s what to expect:

• Six meetings per year, held on weekday evenings
• Occasional online coordination between meetings — primarily for planning volunteer days and events
• About 6 trail work days a year
• 1 fundraiser
• Other events do come up — we hope you’ll want to be part of them, but we also know life takes priority.
• No surprise time bombs. We’re not going to promise “low commitment” and then bury you.

That’s it. You can make a real impact on the future of Tulsa’s trails without sacrificing your evenings, your weekends, or your sanity.

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Why This Work Matters

The trails we steward don’t maintain themselves. Every reroute, every erosion fix, every invasive species removal happens because people chose to show up — and the board is the backbone of that work. We help set the direction, build community partnerships, and make sure TUWC has what it needs to keep doing meaningful things on the ground.

When you join the TUWC board, your voice shapes decisions about preservation, accessibility, programming, and the long-term future of northeast Oklahoma’s urban wilderness.

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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.

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.