Celebrating
30 YEARS
of conserving
OKLAHOMA’S
magnificent landscapes
& unique biodiversity
FY 2016 ANNUAL REPORT
from the state director
Dear Friends:
where we work
E.C. Springer
Prairie Preserve
40 acres
CONSERVING OKLAHOMA FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
Tallgrass
Prairie Preserve
39,650 acres
Keystone Ancient
Forest Preserve
1,276 acres
J.T. Nickel Family
Nature & Wildlife Preserve
17,130 acres
Ozark Cave
Preserves
315 acres
I hope you enjoy this year’s annual report which is dedicated
to all of you who make The Nature Conservancy’s on-theground work a reality. These pages are filled with stories about
conservation progress based on two key ingredients: science
and collaboration.
As we celebrate 30 years of conserving Oklahoma’s last great
places, I can’t help but reflect on the major accomplishments
you’ve helped us achieve. An early Oklahoma chapter
success was a $15 million campaign in 1989 to acquire the
Barnard Ranch near Pawhuska – now the Joseph H. Williams
Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, the largest protected remnant of
tallgrass prairie in the world. And now in 2016, we celebrate
another large endeavor: successfully completing a $22 million
capital campaign, the largest campaign in the chapter’s 30year history. And thanks to your passion and generosity, we
surpassed our $22 million goal! Your desire to make a difference
is truly inspiring.
The funds raised during this effort will benefit Oklahoma for
generations to come. In this issue, you’ll read about exciting
new acquisitions and projects that would not have happened
without the campaign. From thousands of new acres along the
scenic Blue River to a natural stream flows pilot project to an
online wind energy development mapping tool that will have
positive impacts well beyond our state, the chapter continues to
undertake innovative and meaningful conservation projects.
oSaGe PlainS
flint hillS Prairie
Central Short
GraSS Prairie
ozark
Plateau
Southern Short
GraSS Prairie
Oklahoma
Black Mesa
Nature
Preserve
1,660 acres
ouaChita
MountainS
Four Canyon
Preserve
4,050 acres
Central MixedGraSS Prairie
CroSS tiMberS &
Southern tallGraSS Prairie
To date, we’ve conserved nearly 100,000 acres and initiated
a number of statewide conservation strategies in Oklahoma!
As I always say (because it’s true), none of this would have
happened without you. Thank you for all you do to support
conservation.
Cheers,
Mike Fuhr
State Director
2 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS! NATURE.ORG/OKLAHOMA
uPPer WeSt Gulf
CoaStal Plain
NEW!
Pontotoc Ridge
Preserve
2,860 acres
Oka’ Yanahli
Preserve
3,590 acres
Hottonia
Bottoms Preserve
980 acres
Boehler Seeps
& Sandhills Preserve
484 acres
Cucumber
Creek Preserve
3,276 acres
OKLAHOMA 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 3
2016
Joseph H. Williams:
A Living Legacy
CONSERVATION
“We owe Joe a debt of gratitude for
having the courage to forge ahead to
make the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve
a reality and a legacy for future
generations to enjoy. And what an
appropriate way to do so – honoring
Joe by renaming the preserve in
which he played such an important
role in creating. This wonderful place
will now be known as the Joseph H.
Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.”
HIGHLIGHTS
OKC
Water Forum
The Nature Conservancy and
Oklahoma Small Business
Development Center hosted a
free community water forum on
June 9 in OKC. The forum featured
distinguished water resource
experts including J.D. Strong with
the Oklahoma Water Resources
Board, Stephen Greetham with the
Chickasaw Nation, Tye Baker with
the Choctaw Nation, and keynote
speaker Chris Weber, Director of
Sustainability for PepsiCo.
Panelists focused on innovative
water management solutions within
the business communities they
represent. Weber shared PepsiCo’s
comprehensive approach to water
stewardship and the results it has
yielded. “Our goal was to inspire
water management solutions that
help meet our state’s goal of no more
water usage in 2060 than in 2010
while improving a company’s bottom
line.” - Mike Fuhr, State Director
- Mike Fuhr, State Director
100+ Volunteers Lend a Hand to Nature
During FY16, over 120 volunteers donated their time and energy at various
work days to help clean up litter and debris along the Blue River at Oka’ Yanahli
Preserve in south-central Oklahoma. Not only did the volunteer events have a
lasting impact on the attendees by connecting people with nature, but the
tangible results are amazing too! Volunteers collected 30 yards of trash, 17,390
pounds of scrap metal, 127 old tires, and 11,981 feet of interior fencing. “It was a
really powerful experience for us to be able to connect with other people and other
families who share a love of nature and a desire to protect and engage that nature.
The stated agenda of the day may have been to help clean up and rehabilitate an
old ranch, but I suspect the real work was to rehabilitate our souls and forge a
personal connection with the land.” - Josh Langille-Hoppe, Shawnee, OK
Firefly Experience
What glows in the dark, flies
and brings back fond childhood
memories? Nature photographer
Radim Schreiber and the
Conservancy joined forces in
August 2015 for a larger than life
exploration of some of nature’s most
mesmerizing creatures: fireflies!
“I believe that fireflies open doors
to joy, magic and deep connection
with nature.” - Radim Schreiber.
During Oklahoma City’s H&8th Night Market, attendees were invited to see
these bright green fun bugs unlike never before and meet the artist. Through
traditional photographic techniques, Radim captures the blinking beauty of these
tiny creatures by implementing great amounts of patience. No digital alterations,
just pure natural beauty. Radim joined us from Fairfield, Iowa and donated thirty
percent of proceeds from his vibrant prints sold at the exhibit.
4 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS! NATURE.ORG/OKLAHOMA
More than a quarter century ago,
through the leadership of Joseph
H. Williams, the dream of many
Oklahomans to see a significant
piece of the iconic tallgrass prairie
in Osage County permanently
conserved finally became a reality.
Known as the Tallgrass Prairie
Preserve, the Conservancy renamed
the preserve in honor of Mr. Williams
in November 2015. Today the
Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie
Preserve – now at 40,000 acres – is
the largest protected remnant of
tallgrass prairie in the world and
home to 2,500 free-range bison.
Take a Virtual Field Trip!
Oklahoma’s remote nature preserves are now just a click away!
In April 2016, thanks to support from Bank of America, the
Conservancy launched an online, virtual experience providing
40 high-definition scenes of Oklahoma’s major preserves. The
web site gives visitors a 360° panoramic view of Oklahoma’s
native and diverse landscapes while providing engaging multimedia to learn about Oklahoma’s plants, animals and ecology.
“With the launch of OK360, our partnership connects people to
a diverse environmental and cultural heritage so vibrant here in
Oklahoma,” said Bill Lissau, Tulsa market and Oklahoma state
president for Bank of America. “It is precisely through this virtual
access that we hope to create a greater appreciation of our
unique natural treasures by spurring exploration and sparking
imaginations at the stroke of a keyboard.” Escape the city and
immerse yourself in the scenic beauty of Oklahoma’s wild places!
Prescribed Burn Insurance
for Landowners
There are a number of barriers for landowners
wanting to conduct prescribed burns on their
property. Some lack equipment and training, while
others are riddled with fear about the risk of liability.
However, recent efforts by the Conservancy and its
partners, especially Oklahoma Trustee Leslie Kutz,
have paved the way for more fire on private lands
via a prescribed burn liability insurance policy that
is now available nationwide! With an approved
burn plan, a landowner can now purchase liability
coverage for prescribed burns on their property.
This accomplishment enables the Conservancy
to maximize results for expanding the use of fire
across the central Great Plains grasslands!
OKLAHOMA 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 5
2016
Keep Our Streams Flowing
CONSERVATION
HIGHLIGHTS
Conservation
Leadership
Academy
By utilizing nature-based solutions,
we can support the growth,
sustainability and economic vitality of
communities. Thus, the Conservancy
launched the first ever Oklahoma
City Conservation Leadership
Academy (OCLA). This program is
designed to bring engaged, creative
and active members of Oklahoma
City together to learn about sciencebased conservation and how they
can become conservation stewards
in the city and beyond. The academy
is a starting point for educating
individuals that shape the future
of Oklahoma City — providing
them with the knowledge needed
to make enlightened personal and
civic decisions, and encouraging
innovative approaches to urbanbased conservation. OCLA is a
yearlong program consisting of
workshops, field trips, meetings,
socials and a public forum.
>
ONLINE: View the inaugural class
by visiting nature.org/ocla
Inner-City Youth Photograph Blue River
With support from PepsiCo Recycling, we were able to provide inner-city youth with
a hands-on experience at a freshwater restoration site that is over 100 miles away
from their school. In April, 24 homeless students from OKC’s Positive Tomorrows
elementary school visited the Blue River at the Conservancy’s Oka’ Yanahli Preserve
and participated in Parks in Focus® – a program of the Udall Foundation that
connects underserved youth to nature through photography. “At the Blue River,
our students experienced nature and photography in a beautiful environment,
literally getting their feet wet. Giving every student a camera and teaching them
to see nature in new ways is therapeutic. It builds confidence and inspires hope.
Opportunities like this are rarely accessible to them, but thanks to the Conservancy
and Parks in Focus, they will never forget this joyous field lesson – and we have the
pictures to prove it.” - Susan Agel, President & Principal at Positive Tomorrows.
When the state of Oklahoma completed its 50-year Comprehensive Water
Plan in 2012, one of the top eight priorities in the plan was to incorporate
environmental flows into the water management process. Environmental
flows are the amount and patterns of water flows in a stream or river
necessary to provide for a healthy ecosystem and support water-related
recreation and tourism. Not only are these flows important to biodiversity,
but they also contribute immensely to our economy. One of the first steps
under this priority in the plan was to complete a pilot project as a way to
examine how alterations to water flows impact local aquatic species and
how impacts to them can be minimized. Conservancy scientists along with
Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other partners have been working together
with staff at the
Oklahoma Water
Resources Board
through a technical
work group. The
first product of
this collaboration,
the Illinois River
Instream Flow
Assessment
Report, is due to
be released in fall
of 2016.
Wind Energy & Wildlife: Site it Right
Renewable energy is an important
part of our energy future. Due to the
increasing demand for wind energy at
the state level, much of this electricity
is now being exported sometimes
hundreds of miles from wind-rich
states to wind-poor states. However,
lands in the central Great Plains that
are high in wind potential are often
the very same lands that have the best
remaining large expanses of prairie
habitat. These overlapping features
Check out this mapping tool
raise concerns that if we are not
> ONLINE:
for yourself at nature.org/sitewindright
careful, our last remaining grasslands
will be negativity impacted by wind energy development. Thus, the Conservancy
launched an online mapping tool allowing wind developers, project financers,
utility companies, and other power purchasers acquiring wind-generated
electricity from the central Great Plains to identify whether or not planned wind
energy projects are sited in areas of low risk for negative wildlife impacts.
6 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS! NATURE.ORG/OKLAHOMA
Transforming Yards into Prairies
In efforts of giving back to nature by creating habitat in residential areas,
the Conservancy hosted Urban Prairie Garden workshops in November at
McNellie’s in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. More than 80 attendees learned how
to transform unused yard areas into useful pollinator havens. Led by local
landscape architect Jamie Csizmadia, attendees gained hands on experience
in how to plan, design and seed an Urban Prairie Garden. Sponsored by Black
Mesa Brewing and McNellie’s, this opportunity provided each guest with
knowledge of the importance of Oklahoma’s native plants, as well as enough
native grass and wildflower seeds to take home and create their own 500 sq.
ft. urban prairie garden!
$750k Challenge Gift
to Western Oklahoma
On September 17, 2015, Myrl Mortenson
and his wife Gayle made their first visit
to Four Canyon Preserve in western
Oklahoma. “The beauty of it was
breath-taking… It was almost spiritual,”
said Mr. Mortenson, President and
Managing Partner of Hanor & Roberts
Ranch of Oklahoma. Shortly after the
visit, Roberts Ranch donated $250,000
and pledged an additional $500,000
to a newly established endowment
for the Four Canyon Preserve and the
Conservancy at the Cherokee Strip
Community Foundation in Enid. Mr.
Mortenson is challenging others to
give to the endowment with the goal
of reaching a total target endowment
of at least $1.5 million. “As a corporate
citizen, we believe supporting
conservation in our community is part
of our obligation,” said Mr. Mortenson.
“Now, we challenge other business
people to get involved and understand
what it means to preserve the beautiful
prairie and all that we have in this state
for the next generations.” For more
information on contributing to the
endowment of the Four Canyon Preserve
and The Nature Conservancy of
Oklahoma, contact Mary Stallings at the
Cherokee Strip Community Foundation
at 580.234.3988.
OKLAHOMA 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 7
capital
campaign
$22 million
Thank you to the individuals, corporations, foundations and
organizations whose contributions made this campaign a reality.
WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF a
four-year, $22 million conservation campaign. In fact, our campaign was so
successful, we exceeded our goal by over $1.8 million! Via this campaign, we
are securing the future of our current preserves with a solid financial base for
ongoing stewardship operations. Additionally, we are increasing the pace and
scale of our work through land acquisitions; conservation easements; sciencebased solutions to today’s conservation challenges such as water quality
and quantity degradation, invasive species, and prescribed fire limitations;
and sharing stewardship best practices with private landowners beyond our
preserve borders. The overall result will ensure that the rich landscapes and the
benefits they provide to the citizens of Oklahoma today will be available to the
generations of tomorrow.
“It is our
responsibility to
make sure nature
is there for future
generations.”
Deanne Hughes
Trustee, Tulsa, OK
CAMPAIGN ALLOCATIONS
LAND PROTECTION
J.T. Nickel Preserve Expansion
Oka’ Yanahli Preserve Acquisition
Oka’ Yanahli Preserve Expansion Hottonia Bottoms Preserve Acquisition
Tallgrass Prairie Preserve Expansion
Ozark Cave Preserves Expansion
Total Acreage Total ENDOWMENTS
Nickel Preserve
Four Canyon Preserve
Blue Boggy Project
Total INFRASTRUCTURE
Housing at Tallgrass Prairie Preserve
$500,000
Headquarters & Housing at Four Canyon Preserve $346,000
Headquarters & Barn at Pontotoc Ridge Preserve
$425,000
Equipment & Reserve at J.T. Nickel Preserve
$250,000
Total $1,521,000
PLANNED GIVING
$3,675,000
4 YEAR OPERATIONAL FUNDING
Total 8 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS! NATURE.ORG/OKLAHOMA
3,969
490
3,108
980
840
14
9,401 acres
$10,066,145
$1,350,000
$1,100,000
$200,000
$2,650,000
$5,928,338
$23,840,483
OKLAHOMA 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 9
arbuckle
plains
conserving
the
This effort benefits water quantity and quality,
conserves a critical piece of disappearing grasslands
and creates opportunity for a future bison herd.
PIONEERS OF PRAIRIE
RESTORATION
Great herds of
bison once roamed
the prairies of our
nation, including
the Arbuckle Plains
in Oklahoma, and
were an integral part
of our grassland
ecosystems, along
with fire.
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY AND A SUITE OF PARTNERS TEAMED UP TO
conserve an additional 3,100 acres of native prairie along the Blue River in the
Arbuckle Plains at Oka’ Yanahli Preserve in Johnston County. This property
protects springs and aquifer recharge that are critical to sustaining the Blue River,
which plays a vital role in the well-being of Oklahoma communities who depend
on it for drinking water, food, jobs and recreation.
Thanks to the support of our partners, this effort will not only conserve an
important piece of Oklahoma’s disappearing native landscape, but it will also
secure water quantity and enhance water quality for regional users of the Blue
River. Over time, we will restore this land’s prairie species using nature’s own tools
– rest, fire and grazing via cattle and hopefully native bison.
The preserve now protects almost 3,600 acres along two miles of the Blue River.
The original 490 acres was purchased in December of 2011. The expansion of the
preserve through this recent land acquisition was made possible with support
from The Chickasaw Nation, The Conservation Fund, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Inasmuch Foundation, and The Pauline Dwyer Macklanburg and Robert A.
Macklanburg, Jr. Foundation. These lands are being conserved, in part, by funding
and technical assistance made available as mitigation for impacts caused by the
construction and maintenance of the Enbridge Pipelines, LLC, Enbridge Flanagan
South Pipeline in partnership with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Blue River is the major stream flowing from the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer
and is the only river in Oklahoma that is still free flowing. It accounts for more than
half of the discharge from the eastern portion of the aquifer and is a critical source
of water for human needs. In addition to providing for agricultural needs, the river
sustains the city of Durant and encompasses a variety of ecosystems, from rolling
limestone prairies to oak woodlands in granite canyons to bottomland hardwood
forests. Seaside alder, found only in three widely disjunct parts of the United
States—and arguably the rarest tree in North America—is more abundant on this
river than anywhere else in Oklahoma.
Because of their important role in maintaining native prairies, we plan to
reintroduce bison to this new preserve. We still have a ways to go to fund a bison
herd and successfully complete feasibility research and infrastructure that are
needed. However, during this time of celebrating bison as our newly-designated
national mammal, we are delighted to share our plans to eventually return these
iconic mammals to the Arbuckle Plains at Oka’ Yanahli Preserve as part of our
long-term grasslands restoration process.
>
10 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS! NATURE.ORG/OKLAHOMA
ONLINE: Visit nature.org/arbucklebison to learn how you can support the
return of bison to the Arbuckle Plains.
OKLAHOMA 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 11
hottonia
bottoms
new!
One of the most biologically rich natural systems in Oklahoma and
home to the rare aquatic wildflower Hottonia inflata.
WELCOME OKLAHOMA’S NEWEST PRESERVE: HOTTONIA BOTTOMS,
980 acres of forested wetlands on the Antlers Aquifer in the Upper West Gulf
Coastal Plain ecoregion, which spans portions of Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas
and Louisiana.
The preserve’s name Hottonia Bottoms comes from its
ecologically-rich bottomland hardwood forest community
and Hottonia inflata, the American featherfoil, a biologically
interesting and attractive native aquatic plant found on the
property. Hottonia inflata is one of many rare plant species
found on wetlands in the immediate area. Rare animal
species include goldstripe darter, western chicken turtle, and
the American Burying Beetle, a federally-listed endangered
species. The property also provides high-quality habitat for
migratory birds in the central flyway.
“Some
places are so
important, we
need to protect
and manage
them for their
biodiversity.
This is one of
those places.”
This land acquisition was made possible with financial
Mike Fuhr,
support from The Conservation Fund, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
State Director
Service, Dolese Bros. Co., Kirkpatrick Foundation, and E.L.
and Thelma Gaylord Foundation. These lands are being
conserved, in part, by funding and technical assistance made available as
mitigation for impacts caused by the construction and maintenance of the
Enbridge Pipelines, LLC, Enbridge Flanagan South Pipeline in partnership with
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Clear Boggy Creek, a tributary to the Muddy Boggy River, flows along the
preserve’s boundary. Rivers and streams are the lifeblood of these forested
bottoms, flowing across the floodplain during spring floods and leaving behind
soil, seeds from upstream forests, and sediments that become natural fertilizer
for plants. These rich, moist soils nourish an explosion of biological diversity.
RICH IN DIVERSITY
Habitats in this
ecoregion may
contain more than
30 plant species per
square meter – a
density on par with
tropical forests –
making it one of the
most biologically rich
natural systems in
Oklahoma.
The Conservancy’s overarching conservation objectives for Hottonia Bottoms
are to maintain and manage for habitat and biological diversity through land
protection. Land stewardship activities will focus on maintaining the existing
assemblage of habitat types through the use of conservation tools such as
prescribed fire, invasive species management, species surveys and ecological
monitoring. The value of this property includes flood control, erosion control,
protection of water quality, and habitat for many bird and aquatic species.
>
ONLINE: Visit nature.org/hottonia to learn more about this new preserve and
the unique aquatic wildflower, Hottonia inflata.
12 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS! NATURE.ORG/OKLAHOMA
OKLAHOMA 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 13
oklahoma eleven
financial overview
JULY 1, 2015 - JUNE 30, 2016
As we celebrate our 30th anniversary conserving Oklahoma, it is exciting to reflect how far we have come since our humble beginning’s
in 1986 as reflected in this financial statement. These accomplishments would not have been possible without your generous support Thank You! Our increased liability this year is a result of two exciting land acquisition projects described in this report.
support &
revenue
Dues and Contributions
$2,898,565 Pledges Receivable Income - (pledges for future years) $1,679,500 Mitigation
Government Grants
dues & contributions
by donor type
$0
($397,611)
Other Income
$1,743,851 Total Support & Revenue
In July 1987, this group of passionate
Oklahomans rallied together to begin the
process of creating the Oklahoma Chapter
of The Nature Conservancy. Their efforts
soon resulted in the creation of our founding
trustees:
$1,350,000 Investment Income
Support from/(to) other TNC management units
CELEBRATING OUR FOUNDERS
27%
30%
$895,218 $8,169,523 9%
34%
expenses &
purchases of
conservation
land and
easements
Conservation Program Expenses
Conservation Land Acquired/Capital Expenditures
Total Conservation Activities and Actions
$2,893,428 $363,352 $3,256,780 Foundations
$344,087 Memberships
Fundraising Expenses
$483,003 Corporations
Total Administrative & Fundraising
$827,090 Total Expenses & Purchases of
Conservation Land & Easements
$4,083,870
Net Result - Support & Revenue over Expenses &
Purchases of Conservation Land & Easements
$4,085,652 Conservation Land and Easements
Investments Held for Conservation Projects
Endowment Investments
$46,068,699
$4,130,821
12%
Current Assets
$2,054,500
Total Liabilities
($668)
$73,616,418
C.J. (Pete) Silas*
Bartlesville
William G. Kerr
Wilson, Wyoming
Dr. G. Rainey Williams*
Oklahoma City
John Kilpatrick*
Oklahoma City
Joseph H. (Joe)
Williams
Charleston, SC
Robert E. Lorton, Jr.
Tulsa
*Deceased
TEAM NATURE HAS TWO NEW SUPERHEROES!
27%
34%
Conservation Programs
Fundraising
General & Administrative
$7,303,135
Total Net Assets
$66,313,283
Total Liabilities & Net Assets
$73,616,418
14 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS! NATURE.ORG/OKLAHOMA
Leonard J. Eaton
Tulsa
80%
$18,968,301
$2,394,765
Total Assets
George J. Records
Oklahoma City
8%
Property and Equipment (net of depreciation)
Other Assets
Frederick Drummond
Pawhuska
welcome new staff
total programmatic
efficiency
asset, liability
& net asset
summary
Frank A. McPherson
Oklahoma City
Back row L to R: George Records, Herb Beattie, Steve Adams, Ben Pierce, Joe Williams, Frank McPherson, Chuck Cook, Brad Doenges.
Front row L to R: Mike Bay, Ian Butler, Jack Zink, Frederick Drummond, Lew Meibergen.
Individuals
General and Administrative Expenses
Dr. Jerry J. Crockett
Stillwater
These are unaudited financials for fiscal
year ending on June 30, 2016 of The Nature
Conservancy of Oklahoma, a chapter of
The Nature Conservancy. Audited financial
statements of The Nature Conservancy can be
found at nature.org.
ANDY SCHOFIELD
AMY FERNANDEZ
“I am grateful for the opportunity to help conserve
Oklahoma’s natural resources for future generations.
Working for the Conservancy is truly an honor. The
challenges I encounter and the people I work with is
aiding in my development as a natural resource manager.
Managing with this group of people in these ecologically
significant habitats is both a rewarding and humbling
experience.”
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work for an
organization that does such great conservation work not
only in Oklahoma, but throughout the world. The Nature
Conservancy’s team here in Oklahoma is such an inspiring,
passionate, dedicated group of people - I am truly honored
to be a part of it.”
LAND STEWARD, ARBUCKLE PLAINS
COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT, OKC
OKLAHOMA 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 15
continue the vision
join the legacy club
The Legacy Club is a special group of supporters who have included The Nature Conservancy as part of their longterm financial planning. Whether by making a specific bequest, designating a gift from an IRA or establishing an
annuity or remainder trust, there is a vehicle to suit everyone’s circumstances. Legacy giving isn’t just for the wealthy;
every gift makes a difference!
GUY & CAROLINE PATTON
OKC
“We believe The Nature Conservancy’s approach
to conservation, which is scientific-based and
problem solving oriented, is effective and well
matched with Oklahoma’s culture. Feeling
confident that one’s Legacy Gift will be put to the
highest and best use to preserve those lands that
define our state and its people, makes the decision
to name the Oklahoma Chapter of The Nature
Conservancy in our estate plan easy.”
MIKE & HEATHER FUHR
TULSA
“Nature and the outdoors played such an important
role for me as a child that I decided to make
conservation a career choice. It’s a way for me to give
back and ensure that future generations will have
the same opportunity to experience wild places and
clean water. Nature has always been an important
part of our kids’ lives which is why it was important
to my wife, Heather, and I to leave a legacy gift after
we’re gone – there will certainly be conservation
challenges long into the future that need funding and
the Conservancy’s collaborative approach is one that
we really believe in. It’s our way to give nature to our
kids and future generations of our family, even those
that we will never meet.”
16 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS! NATURE.ORG/OKLAHOMA
there are many ways to give HAVE AN IRA?
Congress has re-authorized the provision that allows you to make a distribution from your IRA to The Nature
Conservancy without incurring tax on the withdrawal. You can protect the lands and waters you love and
potentially reduce your taxable income each year!
BENEFITS:
• Can total up to $100,000 per year;
• Can be used to satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD);.
• May be excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes.
GET STARTED!
For more information or to
obtain a sample transfer request
form, please contact Steve
McGuffin at [email protected]
or (405) 445-5043.
TO QUALIFY:
• You must be age 70-1/2 or older at the time you make your gift.
• Transfers must be made directly from a traditional or Roth IRA account
by your plan provider to the Conservancy.
• Gifts must be outright.
LEGACY CLUB MEMBERS
Dr. & Mrs. David Bailey
Ms. Karen Gray
Ms. Bernadine E. Madole
Mr. Dave Rossetti & Ms. Jan
Brandy M. Balnius
Mr. & Mrs. David Hairston
Ms. Ardis A. Manning
Avent
Dr’s. Susan C. Barber & David P.
Mr. & Mrs. Rod Harwood
Mr. Stan G. Martin
Mr. Larry Sanda
Nagle, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Hatfield*
Ms. Doris B. Mayfield
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Schlittler
Ms. Judy Barto
Mr. & Mrs. Rudy Herrmann*
Mrs. Deirdre McArdle
Mrs. Vivian G. Schmidt
Mr. & Mrs. Stan Beair
Dr’s. Marielle Hoefnagels & Doug
Mr. George McCourt
Ms. Paula Sevier
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Bires
Gaffin
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen C. McGuffin*
Ms. Kathryn M. Siftar
Ms. Belynda Bland
Mrs. Helen L. Hoffman
Ms. Iris L. McPherson
Ms. Debra A. Smotherman
Ms. Della F. Blankinship
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen B. Holton*
Mr. & Mrs. James Mitchell
Mrs. Elizabeth L. Stambaugh
Mr. Bob Bollinger
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Horine
Dr. & Mrs. David Morgan
Susan & Larry Steele
Ms. Kristy Boone
Mrs. Janet L. Hotubbee
Ms. Margaret K. Morhart
Mr. & Mrs. Mike Stevens
Ms. Jonni E. Booth
Mr. & Mrs. Julius H. Johnson,
Dr. Beth Murphy
Mr. James R. Streeter
Mrs. Donna Boyd
Jr.
Ms. Cynthia A. Naylor
Robyn C. Stroup
Dr. Kristy K. Bradley
Mr. Ron Jones
Mr. James D. Neel
Rev. & Mrs. Richard
Miss D. P. Brown
W. Douglas Jones
Mr. & Mrs. John Nickel*
Thompson
Ms. Lisa A. Brown
Dr. Helen E. Jordan
Ms. Reatha Oliver
Mr. & Mrs. Roderick Tillman
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Burkett
Dr. George & Martha Kamp
Mr. Joseph L. Parker, Jr.*
Mr. Charles J. Transue
Mr. & Mrs. Deane Carlberg
Mr. & Mrs. David Key
Ms. Peggy Ann Parker
Mrs. Fran Treacy Tandy
Dr. William A. Carter
Mr. James Khourie & Ms. Wanda
Mr. Guy & Mrs. Caroline Patton
Mr. & Mrs. Preston Van
Mr. Robert Currin
Meyer
Mr. Martin E. Peerson
Hanken
Mr. & Mrs. John Detrick
Ms. Elise Kilpatrick & Mr. Gary
Ms. Robin S. Perona
Ms. Mary E. Vogt
Mr. Doyle D. Dow
Kuck
Mrs. Linda F. Quering-Hill
Mr. & Mrs. Billy Wallace
Ashley & Nicholas Dubriwny*
Mr. Fred Kirk & Ms. Elaine
Mrs. Elizabeth Rasmussen
Ms. Cherie Wescott
Dr. & Mrs. Jonathan Edelson
Spencer
Mr Bryan E. Reynolds & Mrs. Laura
Ms. Judy Wilder
Ms. Kimberly Elkin*
Ms. Mary Korthase
B. Reynolds
Mr. Murrel B. Wilmoth Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. Roy Fritze
Dr. & Mrs. Rick Kutz*
Mr. & Mrs. Sylvan Reynolds
Ms. Helen E. Wolford
Mr. & Mrs. Mike Fuhr*
Mr. & Mrs. William LaRue, Jr.
Ms. Ruth E. Richards
Mr. George C. Gill
Mr. Charles Lewallen
Mr. & Mrs. John Rimassa
Dr. Harriet Gleaton
Mr. Philip B. Lorenz
Dr. Henry P. Roberson
Mr. David Gorham
Mr. Kent M. Lowe
Mr. Martin & Beth Rooney
* denotes trustee or staff
OKLAHOMA 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 17
conservation visionaries
The Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma is honored to recognize the following individuals, corporations, foundations and organizations whose contributions have supported our work between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016. We deeply appreciate every gift and
regret that space constraints prevent us from listing all donors. Thank you for your generous contributions.
$100,000 AND ABOVE
The Chickasaw Nation
Dolese Bros. Co.
Jane Hammer
Inasmuch Foundation
Myrl & Gayle Mortenson Hanor/Roberts Ranch
Sherman E. Smith Family
Charitable Foundation
Williams Companies
$50,000 - $99,999
BancFirst
H.A. & Mary K. Chapman
Charitable Trust
ConocoPhillips
David Gorham
Helmerich Foundation
Kirkpatrick Foundation
Nancy & George Records
Sarkeys Foundation
Science & Natural Resources
Foundation
Stone Family Foundation
The Anne & Henry Zarrow
Foundation
$25,000 - $49,999
Devon Energy Corporation
Kerr Foundation
The Pauline Dwyer Macklanburg
and Robert A. Macklanburg, Jr.
Foundation
The Meinders Foundation
J. Larry & Polly Nichols
Bank of Oklahoma
The Oxley Foundation
David & Kim Rainbolt
$10,000 - $24,999
Anonymous
AEP/Public Service Company of
Oklahoma
Cherokee Nation Business Corp
Dobson Family Foundation
E. L. and Thelma Gaylord
Foundation
Helmerich & Payne, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Rudy J. Herrmann
Johnston Seed Enterprises
The Fred Jones Family Foundation
Duke R. Ligon
OKC Zoo
Wells Family Charitable Trust
$2,500 - $9,999
Ackerman McQueen
Adams Foundation
Susannah D. Adelson
Bank of America, Oklahoma
ARVEST Bank
Eric M. Bohne
Brinkley Family Foundation
William & Carol Crawford
John F. Cummings
Paul L. Cummings
Dell Inc
Dillingham Insurance
Doerner, Saunders, Daniel, &
Anderson L.L.P.
Leonard & Patty Eaton
Environmental Management, Inc.
James Cummings
The Gelvin Foundation
Groendyke Transport
Hagler Pinkerton Foundation
Mark & Roxanne Helm
Hans & Lea Helmerich
Dr’s Marielle H. Hoefnagels &
Doug Gaffin
Steve & Pam Holton
Robert & Jan Horine
Indian And Environmental Law
Group, Pllc
Charles B & Sharon Johnson
Bill & Ann Johnstone
Jenk L. Jones
George H. Kamp
Dan Little
Robert & Roxana Lorton
Mabrey Bank
E. Nan Lorton
Steve & Malisa Nell
P. B. Odom
OKC Kayak
ONEOK Inc. / Foundation
Optronics International, LLC
Christine T. Patton
Martin E. Peerson
Reasor’s
Barry & Melanie Redlinger
Sea Breeze, LLC
Shawnee Milling Company
Superior Linen Service
Valencia Land Llc
Walton Family Foundation
Western Farmers Electric
Cooperative
Jerome Westheimer Family
Foundation
Helen Elaine Wolford
$500 - $2,499
American Heritage Bank & Trust
Anchor Stone Company
Elise Mary Anderson
Keenan Barnard
Dr. Jeff M. Bazih
Sarah A. Becker
Steven Ritt Berlin
Roger P. Bey
Dennis E. Bires
Janis Blanton
Richard Bogert
Donald & Tina Bonner
Lynn E. Bootes
Elaine S. Bruno
Burgess Building Company, LLC
Robert & Teresa Burkett
Joy Canon
Jeff Caughron
Central National Bank
CHLOETA, Inc.
Covanta Tulsa Renewable Energy,
LLC
Ted M. Cowan
Glenn A. Cox
Crowe & Dunlevy
Steven R. Cruce
Ben Curtis
Samuel P. Daniel,
Brenda P. Daniel
Oklahoma Department of
Environmental Quality
Mark Dick
Nancy Hiatt Dilley
Jed E. Dillingham
Kelly S. Dillow,
Dippin’ Dots
Doyle Dow
Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc.
Ford & Vanessa Drummond
Frederick F. Drummond
Glenn D. Eddington
Robert S. Ellis
Marilyn B. Escobedo
Dr.’s Charles & Naomi Esmon
Stephen T. Fenno
Frederick N. Firestone
John Fischer
Robert R & Deni Freihoff-Lewin
Ben French
Dr. Andrew & Diana Frost
Brent Thompson Gardner
Wilfred S. Gauthier
John Gibbs
David Glenn
Grand Bank
Karen A. Gray
Green Connections
Greenleaf Nursery Co.
Daniel R. Grischkowsky
Larry D. Gross
Kirk & Julia Hall
Jeffrey A. Herbers
High Caliper Growing
Randy Hogan
ITC Great Plains, LLC
Jack R. Jacobs
The Joullian Foundation, Inc
Dorothy Kenton
Sandra Kimerer
Judy Kishner
Doug B. Kliewer
Rick & Leslie Kutz
Ladd Equipment, Inc.
James Lardner
Ray A. Luth
Mark R. McGee
Steve & Jo McGuffin
Iris L. McPherson
Cristina & George McQuistion
Wayne L. Middleton
Stephen D. Miller
Keith A. Mirkes & Rita A. Veal
David Mitchell
Phillip & Susan Moldenhauer
Daryl G. Moomey
John Morrow
Beth Murphy
Ruth K. Nelson
Ruth Nelson Family Foundation
Richard S. Nelson,
Gordon L. Nielsen,
Jody Noerdlinger
Obelisk Engineering
Hilda M. Olson
Phillips Murrah P.C.
Susan C. Prescott
Don & Cheryl Powell
Robert & Joan Quatro
H.E. Rainbolt Trust
The Remedy Massage
David Riggs
Martin & Beth Rooney
Dr. Vicki M. Rose
Matthew S. Ryan
J. B. Saunders
Susan T. Schalk
George M. Scheets,
Joseph Schulte
Connie L. Scothorn
Betty B. Shaull
Linda Brumfield Simonton
Bruce A. Singer
Southwood Landscape & Nursery
Roger D. (Dale) Summerlin
Sustainable OKC Inc.
Beth E. Swartz
James & Margaret Thayer
Third Branch Engineering, LLC
Webb Maddux Thompson
James H. Tittle
Miles & Molly Tolbert
TRC Companies
David R. Turner
OKC Urban Ag Coalition Of
Oklahoma
Laura E. Van Newkirk
Scott C. Webb
Renee S. Wiggins
Betsy E. Wilder
Jerry L. Wilhm
The Williams Co. Community
Foundation, Inc.
Tom & Josie Winter
Denver & Yvonne Woolsey
Keith & Patty Wright
Zarrow Families Foundation
Photo Credits: Cover & back cover photo: Jerry Rhodes; Pg 2: Katie Hawk/TNC; Pg 3: (top row L to R) Jay Pruett/TNC, Jay Pruett/TNC, Harvey Payne/TNC, Jay Pruett/TNC, Jay Pruett/TNC,
(middle row) Bryan E. Reynolds, Jay Pruett/TNC (bottom row L to R) Jay Pruett/TNC, Mike Fuhr/TNC, Jona Tucker/TNC, Donald T. McKnight, Jay Pruett/TNC; Pg 4: (top) Katie Hawk/TNC, (bottom
left) Katie Hawk/TNC, (bottom right) Katie Hawk/TNC; Pg 5: (top) Harvey Payne/TNC, (middle) Kevin Sink, (bottom) Morgan Heim; Pg 6: (top) Katie Hawk/TNC, (bottom left) Amy Fernandez/TNC;
(bottom right) Jim Richardson; Pg 7: (top right) Jay Pruett/TNC, (middle) Mike Fuhr/TNC, (bottom) Katie Hawk/TNC; Pg 8/9: (top left) Jona Tucker/TNC, (top middle) Steve Rasmussen, (top right)
Carmon Briggs/TNC, (bottom left) Steve Rasmussen, (middle right) Steven Hunter, (bottom right) Harvey Payne/TNC; Pg 10/11 (top left) Jerry Rhodes, (top middle) Steven Hunter, (top right)
Steven Hunter, (bottom left) Mike Fuhr/TNC, (bottom right) Steven Hunter; Pg 12/13: (top left) Jona Tucker, (top right) Jona Tucker/TNC, (bottom left) Donald T. McKnight, (bottom middle)
Donald T. McKnight, (bottom right) Mike Fuhr/TNC; Pg 15: (top) TNC, (bottom left) Katie Hawk/TNC; (bottom right) Katie Hawk/TNC; Pg 16: (top) photo courtesy of Caroline Patton, (bottom)
photo courtesy of Mike Fuhr.
18 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS! NATURE.ORG/OKLAHOMA
board of trustees
EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
Chairman
Chad Dillingham
Enid, OK
Vice Chair, Governance
Rudy J. Herrmann
Tulsa, OK
Vice Chair,
Conservation
Leslie Kutz
Ardmore, OK
Vice Chair, Philanthropy
Steve Holton
Poteau, OK
MEMBERS
William H. Crawford
Frederick, OK
Deanne Hughes
Tulsa, OK
Enid, OK
Butch Meibergen
David Riggs
Tulsa, OK
Benjamin J. Curtis
Poteau, OK
Dudley Hyde
Oklahoma City, OK
Tulsa, OK
Steven Nell
Dr. Mark Sullivan
Oklahoma City, OK
Sam Daniel
Tulsa, OK
Judy Kishner
Tulsa, OK
J. Larry Nichols
Oklahoma City, OK
Duke Ligon
Oklahoma City, OK
John Nickel
Tulsa, OK
Roger D. (Dale)
Summerlin
Bartlesville, OK
Ford Drummond
Bartlesville, OK
John D. Groendyke
Enid, OK
Dan Little
Madill, OK
Fred E. Pace
Tulsa, OK
Paul Hagemeier
Edmond, OK
Neal McCaleb
Edmond, OK
Hans Helmerich
Tulsa, OK
Cristina McQuistion
Oklahoma City, OK
Joseph L. (Jody)
Parker, Jr.
Tulsa, OK
Miles Tolbert
Oklahoma City, OK
oklahoma staff
STATE FIELD OFFICE, TULSA
Mike Fuhr
State Director
FOUR CANYON PRESERVE
Chris Hise
Preserve Director
Jay Pruett
Director of Conservation
J.T. NICKEL FAMILY NATURE &
WILDLIFE PRESERVE
Jeremy Tubbs
Preserve Director
Ashley Dubriwny
Director of Operations
Nancy Hatfield
Associate Director of
Philanthropy
Traci Rostamo
Finance Manager
Amanda Tubbs
Operations Coordinator
OKLAHOMA CITY FIELD OFFICE
Steve McGuffin
Director of Philanthropy
Katie Hawk
Director of Communications
Melissa Shackford
Director of Land Protection
Jake Bodley
Land Steward
PONTOTOC RIDGE PRESERVE
Jona Tucker
Arbuckle Plains / Blue River
Program Director
Kimberly Elkin
Freshwater
Conservation Program Director
Andy Schofield
Land Steward
Tony Brown
Assistant Director of Science &
Stewardship
Kay Krebbs
Administrative Assistant
Joe Bob Briggs
Ranch Hand
Perry Collins
Ranch Hand
Kevin Chouteau
Ranch Hand
Tawnda Hopper
Guest Services Coordinator /
Gift Shop Manager
Carmon Briggs
Guest Services Coordinator
Franklin Leroy Alm
Land Steward
Cody Pepper
Associate Director of Philanthropy
TALLGRASS PRAIRIE PRESERVE
Bob Hamilton
Preserve Director
Amy Fernandez
Communications Assistant
Harvey Payne
Community Relations Coordinator
OKLAHOMA 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 19
The Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma
10425 S. 82nd E. Avenue, Suite 104
Tulsa, OK 74133
(918) 585-1117
NONPROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE
PAID
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
PERMIT NO. 1379
Printing of The Nature Conservancy Annual Report is generously provided by ConocoPhillips.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CONSERVANCY’S WORK IN OKLAHOMA, VISIT:
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