Micheal Fuhr, State Director for the global conservation organization The Nature Conservancy, spoke at the July 11 Sapulpa Parks Board meeting. Fuhr gave a slide-show presentation of the various nature preserves the Nature Conservancy operates in Oklahoma, before discussing the proposed large reserve near Heyburn Lake. He told the board that seven years ago he was contacted by Bob Jackson, a tax attorney in St. Louis, Missouri who had inherited the 20-square-mile piece of property known as the Pearl Jackson Ranch from his grandparents.
“He inherited this ranch from his grandparents, (L.B. and Pearl Jackson) back in the 1970s. He called me, he was very proud of the ranch, he was also trying to figure out what to do with it. He did cherish that place and talked about a conservation easement.” Fuhr explained that this would restrict the land in perpetuity. Fuhr stated Bob Jackson decided to donate the 12,500-acre tract of land to The Nature Conservancy. “Unfortunately, Bob passed away but his wife Andie wants to continue with the donation, and meet his dream for this place.”
Fuhr said there are plans to have such amenities as hiking trails, and perhaps a visitor’s center. When asked about camping, he said overnight camping is not allowed to clean up problems.
Fuhr stated it will be approximately four months before the land will be transferred.
This will be a major tourist attraction for the area. In an interview with the Sapulpa Herald, Mr. Fuhr said that a recent meeting in Tulsa with the Tulsa Chamber stated that the number one question prospective businesses ask is what sort of recreational facilities are available.
The Nature Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates around the world and has five preserves in Oklahoma.
This is an ongoing story and readers will be updated with the progress of the nature preserve.
