Page 2 - OutdoorOK2024MayJune ONLINE

PANORAMAS

While managing Oklahoma’s diverse fish and American alligators, greater roadrunners, alli-
wildlife resources, and the habitats they need, gator snapping turtles, whooping cranes, and
we’ve come to realize that many hands don’t river otters.
just make “light work,” they make conservation The zoo is a leader in monarch conserva-
work. The helping hands of like-minded con- tion efforts and helps schools create pollinator
servation partners stretch the Wildlife Depart- gardens. The zoo assists with habitat projects,
ment’s resources to have an even bigger impact partners with ODWC to conduct bird and bat
on Oklahoma’s natural resources and the peo- surveys, collaborates with ODWC on conser-
ple who enjoy the outdoors. Here’s a look at the vation involving rare reptiles, amphibians, and
diverse efforts of three of our valuable nongov- birds, and helps track the Texas horned lizard
ernmental conservation partners. population at Tinker Air Force Base.
The Oklahoma Chapter of The Nature The George Miksch Sutton Avian Research
Conservancy works to conserve the lands and Center works to find conservation solutions for
waters on which our native plants and wildlife birds and the natural world through science and
depend. The Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prai- education. The center has long been dedicated
rie Preserve is one of 12 places The Conservan- to the conservation of bald eagles in Oklahoma.
cy protects in Oklahoma. Although best known Through its captive-rearing program, 97 bald
for its bison herd, other prairie wildlife such eagles were released into Oklahoma in the late
grasshopper sparrows and regal fritillaries can 1980s. During the past 40 years, Oklahoma’s
be observed and photographed there. nesting bald eagle population has grown from
This nonprofit charitable organization works less than five pairs to more than 300!
to protect magnificent landscapes and unique The Center has started captive breeding pro-
biodiversity on more than 100,000 acres. From grams to boost other wild bird populations
Ozark forest songbirds at their J.T. Nickel Fam- including the endangered Attwater’s prai-
ily Preserve to ancient oaks in the Keystone rie-chicken, a coastal Texas subspecies of the
Ancient Forest Preserve, and impressive views greater prairie-chicken, and the endangered
of the high plains at the Black Mesa Preserve, masked bobwhite, an Arizona and Mexico sub-
visitors can explore, learn, and volunteer to be species of the northern bobwhite. The Center
a part of these important places. is the Oklahoma coordinator for the national
The Conservancy also helps landowners Breeding Bird Survey, and it has partnered
conserve their properties through easements with ODWC on the Oklahoma Breeding Bird
and has been a strong advocate of native Atlas, the Winter Bird Atlas, and research into
landscaping, prescribed fire, and protecting Henslow’s sparrows, prairie-chickens, and other
aquifers and watersheds. It has partnered with prairie birds.
ODWC to conserve the unique fauna of caves ODWC is honored and thankful to work
and springs, and to restore oak woodlands with these, and many other, important part-
and prairies. ners in conservation.
vanishing wildlife and wild places. Its award-win- Mark Howery
Since opening in 1902, the Oklahoma City

Zoo has connected people with the world’s

ning Oklahoma Trails exhibit allows visitors the
chance to encounter nearly 100 species native Mark Howery,
to Oklahoma! These include mountain lions, Senior Biologist Wildlife Diversity, ODWC