Call to action: Support wildlife conservation, oppose HR 8167

Wildlife conservation is one of the longstanding aims for the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition, so it seemed important to tell our membership about legislation moving through Congress that could have a dramatic impact on those efforts.

House Resolution 8167 would repeal the federal firearms excise tax and dramatically reduce the excise tax on fishing equipment. Laws that enacted these taxes were created at a time when hunters, anglers and conservationists became concerned about dwindling populations of wild game and other species.

Funds raised through these taxes go directly toward wildlife conservation. Since these programs were enacted, species such as deer, elk, wild turkey, various waterfowl and more saw dramatic comebacks.

In Oklahoma, the state’s Department of Wildlife Conservation receives a large portion of its budget from matching federal funds provided by the excise taxes in question.

HR 8167 would replace the excise taxes with revenue raised from federal offshore oil and gas leases. But those funds, by design, would only provide half the funds currently raised by the excise taxes.

HR 8167 is opposed by 43 hunting, conservation and gun rights groups, including the NRA.

What we see is a unified front consisting of hunters, shooting enthusiasts, anglers and conservationists who recognize what we see: The excise tax has been a win-win program for everyone and a longstanding conservation success story.

But HR 8167 has its supporters: 58 co-sponsors, including U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin.

What we would like to ask of TUWC members is to contact your congressional representatives and tell them to scrap HR 8167. If we lose wildlife conservation funds, we will lose wildlife at the places we like to go. Should HR 8167 become law, we will definitely lose funding. A loss of funding will harm wildlife populations and diminish species diversity.

Find out who your congressional representative is and let them know you oppose HR 8167. Write or call their offices in Washington, D.C., or at their local offices here in Oklahoma.

Tulsa-area congressmen are:

Kevin Hern: https://hern.house.gov/

Markwayne Mullin: https://mullin.house.gov/

Frank Lucas: https://lucas.house.gov/

For more, read this editorial from the Tulsa World: https://tulsaworld.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-firearm-tax-repeal-would-harm-conservation-hunters-interests/article_3d9c62b2-0d1a-11ed-b1c4-2b92166be689.html

Or read this writeup from the Conservation Coalition of Oklahoma: https://oklahomaconservation.org/wildlife-conservation-2/

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

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:

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. 

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

Mo Chi Crew including Progressive Trail Design and TUWC Volunteers

Afternoon Crew

Morning Crew

Announcements

Working on Berms near Pepsi Lake

Seeding Berms Near Pepsi Lake

Sincerely, Thank you.

Make plans to spend March 27th at Turkey Mountain with the TUWC, River Parks Authority and Progressive Trail Design. 

Weather permitting we plan to work on trail building under the supervision of the pros from Progressive Trail Design!

Additionally, we will be working on the following:

• removing invasive species
• trail compacting
• litter removal
• erosion mitigation

Two shifts to better accommodate schedules!

Our morning shift will get started at 9AM and go to Noon and break for lunch.

The afternoon shift will start at 1PM and pack it in at 4PM.

ALL AGES ARE WELCOME!!!

We can sign for volunteer hours for students!!!

How should I plan?

• attire: wear sturdy shoes and clothes you can work in.

• bring a reusable water container

• wear layers you can shed as the day warms

• bring sunscreen and bug spray

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 anyone volunteer to provide everything on this list, pick one or two things

• Gloves

• Loppers/Pruners (with your name on them)

• Hand saws (non-power like a bow saw or folding saw) and small Axe/Hatchet

• Hoe’s (both traditional & rogue) / Shovels (spade & square)

• Pulaski / Mattock

• Mcleod

• Rake (leaf and garden rake)

• Wheelbarrow

To join the discussion on the AM Shift visit the Facebook Event here or the PM Shift here.

Chances are, you are probably more familiar with work being done at Turkey Mountain than with those who have been actually doing the work.

Volunteers with the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition have for years advocated for Turkey Mountain (it’s sometimes been mistakenly called the “Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Coalition”) but are now seeking a broader scope.

READ MORE

Board member Laurie Biby wrote a collum for the Tulsa World