CONNERVILLE, OK — The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is celebrating its newest preserve on Oklahoma's Blue River by inviting the public to a dedication ceremony from 1-3pm on
Saturday, March 31.
"This is a big day for us. This is our 12th preserve, but the first TNC river and wetland restoration project of this scale in Oklahoma," State Director Mike Fuhr said.
"Oklahomans have already embraced the new 490-acre preserve by submitting names such as ‘Buffalo Bog' and ‘Hilltop Springs'. The official name for the preserve has been selected from the public submissions and we are eager to unveil it."
The preserve was purchased in December of 2011 with the assistance of a long-term partnership with the Chickasaw Nation.
"The tribe has a strong conservation interest in Oklahoma rivers and springs, especially the Blue River. It is a critical source of water for the city of Durant," Fuhr said. "Although the preserve is privately owned by theConservancy, our restoration efforts will benefit the public by improving water quality for Oklahomans downstream."
The Blue River is on the cusp of the next generation of critical water management decisions in Oklahoma. With several decades of water conservation experience, The Nature Conservancy is poised to apply its scientific expertise and collaborative approach to ensure the future of the Blue River's water for people and nature.
"Our work will provide a template for restoration, sustainable use, education and protection," Fuhr said. "The Blue River preserve will help bring partners together to synchronize their actions in a way that will sustain the natural Oklahoma environment while providing water for people."
Inaugural partners who made the purchase of this preserve possible include the Chickasaw Nation, InasmuchFoundation, Macklanburg Foundation, Dolese Bros. Co., and Rudy & Deb Herrmann.
The dedication ceremony, titled "Blue River Revival", is a family-friendly event on the banks of the Blue River and will feature Governor Bill Anoatubby of the Chickasaw Nation as the keynote speaker, live performance from the Chickasaw Nation stomp dancers, and live music from Green Corn Revival, an Oklahoma native band well known for its tour with legendary Wanda Jackson.
Event Details:
Blue River Revival
1:00pm – 3:00pm Saturday, March 31, 2012
Off State Highway 99/US-377 on the south end of Connerville, OK
Directions:
- From the north, the event is approximately 21 miles south of the State Highway 3 exit onto State Highway 99/US-377. The entrance is located 0.66 miles south of Harris Ranch Road.
- From the south, the event is approximately 5.5 miles north of the intersection of State Highway 7/State Highway 99/US-377. The entrance is located 0.58 miles north of Buzzard Road.
Google Map:
http://tinyurl.com/BlueRiverOK
The Nature Conservancy has worked to conserve Oklahoma's magnificent landscapes and unique biodiversity since 1986. Using a strategic, science-based planning process, called Conservation by Design, we identify landscapes that, if conserved, promise to conserve biodiversity over the long term. The Oklahoma Chapter owns or protects 12 preserves totaling almost 77,000 acres (120 square miles). Visit the Oklahoma Chapter of The Nature Conservancy on the web at www.nature.org/Oklahoma.
