Fall Tree Planting at Oka' Yanahli Preserve

On October 7, more than a dozen Chickasaw Head Start students helped plant trees at The Nature Conservancy’s Oka' Yanahli Preserve along the banks of the Blue River. Meaning “flowing water” in Chickasaw, this preserve protects two miles of the river, one of only two free-flowing rivers in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Forestry Department awarded Chickasaw Nation a grant for the trees, which will help with carbon conservation around the river.

“We planted 25 trees to honor our tradition of cultural resiliency and to establish a living classroom for our youth to come and learn,” said Jennie Mosely, director of the Chickasaw Nation Department of Land Sustainability. Introducing youth to the area and to the traditional concepts of land stewardship are important tools of conservation.

The location of the preserve and the type of trees planted are also important to Chickasaw culture, heritage and tradition. The significant site is located on the Blue River and was once Chickasaw allotment land. The selected trees are native to the area and include burr oak, pecan, black walnut and others. Signs at the base of the trees denote the species and the Chickasaw name for each tree.

The tree planting project also helped enhance The Nature Conservancy’s ongoing conservation work on the preserve. “The trees the Chickasaw Nation planted here fit in perfectly with our restoration efforts,” shared Katie Gillies, director of conservation for The Nature Conservancy in Oklahoma. “This used to be hardwood bottom land and was turned into meadow. We are actively working to restore it.” Once the trees are established, the area is planned to be used as an outdoor classroom.