In search for answers on the Arkansas river dams included in the Vision Package we turned to experts for a better understanding. The Shovel Nosed Sturgeon, Paddle Fish, and Least Terns were some of our chief concerns.
Some of you may know Dave Lindo from Tulsa Kayak and Oklahoma Kayak, but did you also know he is a biologist as well? If you have ever spent much time with him outdoors you will notice he catches many subtle things happening that a casual nature observer may miss. This made him the perfect resource to turn to with this question.
When asked this is Daves response, “The current situation is feast or famine in regards to water in the river. Least Terns (endangered) make a living by nesting on the sand bars that get flooded. As part of the project, the federal government requires that like for like habitat be provided for any projects which involve their nesting grounds. Putting a stable water level in the river and creating nesting islands will give these critters a chance to incubate an egg for 21 days without getting flooded.”
“Compared to the current situation created by the impoundment of water by Lake Keystone, I think this is a win for wildlife, recreation, and overall quality of life for Tulsans. The big picture that must be considered, is that improvements in the river will likely get Tulsa area residents outside, active, and using the river. This is turn should cause citizens to more actively involved and interested in water quality, and the preservation and protection of all the birds, fish, and critters that call the river home.”
Dave Lindo, Owner of OKC Kayak & Tulsa Kayak Biologist • Conservationist Photo By Mark Edward Allen
The Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in todays Cleanup Day #tuwccleanup ! We had the pleasure of sharing the beautiful weather with over 120 participants! We were overwhelmed at such a fantastic turnout! With this being the start of running and cycling season we know many of our supporters were unable to attend. We promise to hold more cleanup days in 2016!
About a year ago, the Tulsa World, local television stations and other Tulsa media broke the news: an outlet mall was coming to town, and the site was going to be at the corner of U.S. 75 and 61st Street.
Some people cheered this, but those who regularly visited Turkey Mountain knew differently. We knew that a hulking retail development at that site would permanently and drastically alter our local urban wilderness.
Through social media and a few phone calls, a group of cyclists, runners, hikers and nature enthusiasts — most of who had never met — gathered at a downtown church to discuss what, if anything, could be done to preserve what was left of Tulsa’s native woodlands. What we learned that day is that the bulk of those woods and the trails therein were practically unprotected.
What happened in the weeks and months that followed was remarkable. The common goal of preserving and celebrating urban wildernesses led to the creation of the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition. The coalition proved to be energetic and effective.
Town Hall Meeting at Riverfeild in conjunction with the Southwest Tulsa Chamber of CommerceTown Hall Meeting hosted By District 2 City Council Rep Cue had record attendance.
Through intensive lobbying, public education, media campaigns and more, the coalition made the case that the space for the proposed mall was not the right location for such a development. In time, the public, numerous elected officials, and ultimately the developer, all agreed. The forest on the west side of Turkey Mountain would be spared and left wild.
TUWC Marketing and PR Director meets with the media to educate people on the value of Urban Wilderness
This was a huge victory, but it was not by any stretch the only thing the TUWC accomplished. Under TUWC leadership or in partnership with other organizations, Turkey Mountain saw two of the largest and most successful cleanup and trail maintenance days it had ever seen.
January 2015 Turkey Mountain Cleanup Day hosted by the TUWC & OEFMay 2015 Mooser Creek Cleanup Day with the City of Tulsa, Save our Streams, Blue Thumb, the Westside YMCA and others.
The TUWC also headed a comprehensive user survey that gave us huge insights into who and how many people come to Turkey Mountain.
TUWC conducts a Trail User Survey
The coalition also organized education programs and events to help people understand more about what Turkey Mountain is.
TUWC hosts Guided Walks on Turkey Mountain
Today, the TUWC is hard at work. We are an official nonprofit organization now taking contributions to acquire land to ensure the preservation of Turkey Mountain. We continue to engage with the public through this website as well as numerous social media outlets. We will continue to lead cleanup days and trail maintenance projects while also offering tours to those who want to see more of this unique park. So much has been accomplished in the past year, and we know that more great things will follow in the near future as well as the long term. Stay tuned to see what’s next and how you can be involved.
