2024 Oklahoma Impact Report

This year The Nature Conservancy in Oklahoma celebrates the first anniversary of the Pearl Jackson Crosstimbers Preserve.

"It's been a whirlwind," says Jeanine Lackey, preserve manager. “Since we took ownership last November, it has been exciting to document the wildflowers blooming in spring; explore the unique geology and waterfalls; and assist with biological surveys—learning about the butterflies, bees, birds, frogs, toads, turtles and snakes that call this place home. I’m proud to say that our team has made great progress, and there’s so much more in store.”

Conserving a property of this scale and importance is a momentous undertaking for the Oklahoma chapter. The preserve lies within the crosstimbers ecoregion, which contains the Keystone Woodlands, a priority conservation area. These woodlands contain old-growth forests with oak trees over 340 years old, which are important habitat for iconic wildlife like Northern bobwhite and rare plant species like the hairy mountain mint.

“Our top priority was hiring a great team to steward this land—to assess the preserve and develop a long-term conservation plan,” says Katie Gillies, Oklahoma director of conservation. “I have no doubt we found the right people for the job.” Lackey has worked in conservation for many years and started at TNC about six years ago at our Blue Boggy Preserves, a collection of preserves in south-central Oklahoma. She brings not only stewardship experience, but also the outreach aptitude to facilitate future public access.

Matt Hagy joined TNC as land steward in February, with over 10 years of fire experience. Since then, he has hiked over 167 miles of the preserve, mapping unique features, restoration sites, fences and other infrastructure. Lastly, Timmy Todd managed the ranching operations of the former Pearl Jackson Ranch for over 40 years and was hired to assist with the transition from working ranch to nature preserve. The new team quickly upgraded one mile of road. With better access, workers could reach the headquarters site to drill a water well and build an office and workshop.

“We couldn’t purchase the equipment we needed, like ATVs and a tractor, because we didn’t have a place to securely store them,” says Lackey. “Now we’re equipped to initiate our stewardship activities—increasing biodiversity and improving ecosystem resiliency. Plus, it’s nice to have running water and a cool place to escape the summer heat.”

The preserve lies within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for the Muscogee people. And with the Conservancy’s mission to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends, the two entered into a partnership. They will collaborate to conserve the natural, cultural, historic and scenic resources at the Pearl Jackson Crosstimbers Preserve.

“With their help, we can manage native and non-native wildlife populations with Tribal hunting, graze the land, conduct biological surveys and so much more,” says Lackey. “In fact, they’ve already implemented a wild turkey study to document breeding success.”

All these milestones are made possible through the vision and generosity of Bob and Andie Jackson, who donated their family ranch to TNC. In addition to conserving the land they loved, they had a vision to inspire people for nature through discovery. TNC’s planning embraces the interconnectedness of human and ecological needs—integrating conservation equity into all aspects of our work.

“The preserve is closer to any major city than other TNC preserves in Oklahoma,” says Lackey. “When a portion of the property is open to the public, we’re expecting it to be a popular place for families, school field trips, hikers and nature enthusiasts of all backgrounds, ages and abilities to explore and learn about TNC’s important conservation work.”

The public use concepts were developed with Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc., a consulting group specializing in the design of natural spaces for public enjoyment. Additionally, the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program team offered their expertise in consulting with neighbors, potential user groups, the Muskogee (Creek) Nation and conservation partners. Over the next year, the National Park Service will assist TNC with community engagement and implementation.

After listening to neighbors, stakeholders, consultants and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, TNC developed a conceptual plan to create a first-rate destination where all visitors feel welcome and included. When visitors arrive, they’ll first experience a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly visitor center that represents TNC’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Here, visitors will learn about the ecosystem, our stewardship practices and the power of biodiversity and resiliency. 

From there, visitors will discover more nature experiences on an accessible boardwalk and trails of varying distance and difficulty. Features such as an outdoor classroom, wildlife observation areas and a sensory trail for people of all abilities are also being considered. A new stewardship building and grounds will showcase TNC’s science-based conservation and restoration programs like prescribed fire and invasivespecies management.

“This is a huge but important undertaking, not only for biodiversity conservation, but for public engagement through visitation, volunteerism, citizen science and exploration,” says Lackey. “Although the concepts for buildings and trails will take years to come to fruition, it will benefit people and nature for generations. I’m so very humbled that the Jacksons trusted TNC to make their vision a reality. Like the Jacksons, I’ve come to love this place. And I can’t wait for the public to explore these woods and come to appreciate them just as the Jacksons did.”

"When we launched the Flint Hills Initiative in 2021, we set the goal to conserve 165,000 acres of tallgrass prairie across Oklahoma and Kansas,” says Bob Hamilton, Oklahoma tallgrass initiative director. “From the outset, we knew we’d need the help of landowners to achieve this. I am overjoyed, proud and humbled to share news of our conservation progress in the Flint Hills of Oklahoma. This is largely due to Oklahomans who have stepped up to save this ecosystem. In 2024, over 8,500 acres have been conserved on private land with conservation easements.”

Conservation easements allow landowners to place certain use restrictions on their land for the benefit of nature, selling or donating the land use rights to a land trust like TNC. The land trust holds the easement and ensures the terms are upheld, regardless of who may own it in the future. These terms may vary, but generally prioritize conserving the land’s natural value—minimizing development and encouraging biodiversity.

In the Flint Hills, that means protecting habitat for species like the greater prairie chicken, the American golden plover and the monarch butterfly by maintaining the over 600 native plants that occur here. Further, the landowners of these Flint Hills conservation easements continue to graze cattle on their native tallgrass prairie ranchland—a win for people and nature.

One of the easements completed in 2024 was an agricultural land easement made possible through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ALE-ACEP) funded by the Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). When landowners and their ranch property meet certain criteria, TNC and NRCS work together to purchase the easement.

Most importantly, conservation easements keep working lands in working hands—bringing economic benefits to landowners, families and communities.

Over 8,500 acres of private land have been conserved this year in the Flint Hills with conservation easements. Learn more about conservation easements in Oklahoma here.