Sunday Aug 30 • Okies For Monarchs
Oklahoma Monarch Society is Celebrating at Heirloom Rustic Ales
Sunday, August 30
1pm – 5pm
Heirloom Rustic Ales
2113 E Admiral Blvd, Tulsa, OK 74110
2113 E Admiral Blvd, Tulsa, OK 74110
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.
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
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)
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.
This event will help close out the Monarchs on the Mountain celebration.
This year we will be joined by Oklahoma Department of Transportation, staff biologists, Vonceil Harmon and Kaitlyn Taylor for a discussion on all the incredible work their team has made transforming our state highway right-of-ways with pollinator friendly landscapes. This discussion will revolve around the history of the program, and the impact investing in these spaces has made!
This event is free to join. There will be a pollinator social hour beforehand with snacks and a cash bar starting at 6 PM and the discussion will start at 7pm.
Located at the Williams Lodge at Gathering Place.
2650 South John Williams Way Tulsa, OK 74114
Earth Day is rapidly approaching, and TUWC will be out and about for many earth day events around Tulsa. Although TUWC has excellent trail work days (Sunday, March 9th, 9am at Keystone Ancient Forest – mark your calendars!), we also educate the public about leave no trace principals, trail etiquette, and supporting pollinators. You can spot us at environmental fairs year-round, but especially at earth day events.
Already this year we’ve attended the 2025 Oklahoma Environmental Expo at the Oklahoma City Zoo, utilizing our Leave No Trace diorama to show our fellow outdoor recreators that staying on trail, not littering, and making sure to scoop up that doggy doo are all important tenants of maintaining the health of your urban wilderness.
Did you know that dog waste is not only a hazard for the bottom of your hiking shoes or bike tires, but also a cause of pollution in waterways? Dog waste contains nitrogen and phosphorus, which can deplete oxygen that fish and other water-based life need to survive. Water runoff from dog waste can also encourage the growth of harmful algae and, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is considered a significant source of pathogens like fecal coliform, a disease-causing bacteria.
Although things like orange peels, apple cores, and dog waste may be organic materials that can break down in certain environments, disposing of them in your local urban wilderness can cause wild animals to depend on humans as a source of food and pollute our waterways. Leaving no trace means to leave the trail as if you were never there – preserving that trail magic for those that recreate after you!
We hope that you’ll join us at one of these events. Until then – see you outside!
Stephanie Acquario, TUWC Conservation and Education Co-chair