With the mall question seemingly solved, the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition has turned its eyes toward a new goal: securing the future of Turkey Mountain for the long-term.

This is where the work of the many comes into play. Just like we needed everyone’s voices to stand up for protecting urban wilderness, we need people to rise up again. In this case, the way to protect wild woodlands is to take it off the market. And to do that, we need to buy it.

TUWC is actively raising funds for the purchase of land in the Turkey Mountain area. The land won’t come cheap, so the task before us is significant. We are hoping to raise at least $3.2 million to ensure Turkey Mountain remains a true wilderness area where people can hike, bike, run and view wildlife in its natural habitat. This is a true treasure for Tulsa and northeastern Oklahoma and is worth the investment to keep it intact and free from development.

We have three ways people can give to this cause.

First, we have an account set up through the Tulsa Community Foundation that is solely for the purpose of land purchases. You can donate to that here. It is even possible to set up reoccurring monthly donations at a minimum of $5.00

Second, we have set up a GoFundMe site that is also accepting funds for land purchases. You can donate through that channel here.

Lastly, we have a bank account set up at Yorktown bank to accept donations. These donations can be delivered to

No matter how you choose to donate, your contribution is tax-deductible.

One very important thing to keep in mind: The land that was part of the original outlet mall plan is still zoned in such a way that it could be purchased and used for commercial purposes. And it’s still for sale. This further drives home the point that the sooner we can take it off the market, the sooner we can keep Turkey Mountain free from development.

So please consider donating to this task. The more people who give, the closer we will get to ensuring the future of Tulsa’s greatest wild green space.

The Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition summer quarterly meeting will be held Friday July 17th, 6:30PM at the Bass Pro Shop in Broken Arrow in the Education Room on the second floor in the Camo department.

Lori Jones from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service will be presenting on their upcoming plans to create the Green Country Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership. This presentation will focus on how the USFWS plans to form cooperative partnerships to help protect and preserve green space and wildlife habitat in northeast Oklahoma.

From:
Colin Tawney
TUWC Government Affairs Coordinator

According to our sources at INCOG, Simon has requested another continuance of their zoning hearing before the TMAPC to August 19, 2015.

Based on lack of public support as well as lack of support from the City Council, we cannot see how Simon would still be preparing a site plan for this property.

However, the recent announcement by the City of Jenks that Simon had signed a contract on land south of the Creek Turnpike, was pre-empted by a cancelled press conference.

What does all this mean, and should we still be concerned? Anyone involved with this project has said Simon has been very silent since the forums were held in mid-March. The series of delays and lack of communication on this matter has puzzled government leaders as well as development insiders.

Based on what has happened in other markets where there have been multiple developers vying for an outlet mall in a market which will only support one, this is really not terribly surprising. In other markets where Simon was late to the game, they have used similar tactics to end up either chasing out competition or partnering with another developer. Simon is the undisputed king of outlet retail management companies, they also rule the traditional mall market. With that sort of presence comes the clout to woo all of the major retailers required to develop an outlet mall.

Certainly, we cannot take our eyes off Simon, but with the high cost of infrastructure improvements as well as numerous challenges the Turkey Mountain site presents, there really does not seem to be any reason for Simon to attempt to develop there.

We are continuing to monitor the situation and follow up with city officials as well as contacts we have within the development community. We will have someone attend the June 17 TMAPC meeting to report back on the continuance or if there are any other developments.

Turkey Mountain: Not Out of The Woods Just Yet

With the stunning news that Simon Properties has abandoned the site on Turkey Mountain comes the sobering reality that there is now a 60 acre parcel of land with existing commercial zoning sitting wide open.

This is but round one. It was a hard fought battle, and people have taken notice how important Turkey Mountain is to the citizens of Tulsa. With that recognition, it is now time to step up fund-raising efforts to secure and protect the land from the threat of commercial development for future generations.

Large donations should be directed to Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition through its account at Tulsa Community Foundation: https://tulsacf.org

Direct donations to TUWC can be made at

TUWC also has a Go Fund Me campaign for any donation amount at: http://www.gofundme.com/tuwc2015

Please join the TUWC today in the movement to purchase this vital piece of urban wilderness.

Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition gets nonprofit status, raising funds to keep Turkey Mountain land undeveloped

Organizers of an effort to keep commercial development off Turkey Mountain have taken steps to add legitimacy and financing to their mission.

The Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition has been awarded formal nonprofit status and is launching fundraising efforts to preserve land near the River Parks Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area.