Muskogee County Conservation District Receives Land Donation

March 26, 2008

image of Bonnie Greer presenting deed to Muskogee County CD. — In March Bonnie Geer presented the deed for 152 acres near Taft to the Muskogee County CD for a nature sanctuary. (From left) Ken Silver, MCCD director; Bonnie Geer, land donor; Andy Qualls, MCCD equipment manager; Butch Garner, MCCD director, Trish Kloeckler, MCCD secretary.

In March Bonnie Geer of Tulsa donated 152 acres of land near Taft to the Muskogee County Conservation District to be used as a Nature, Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary. Geer said that it had always been a dream of her late husband Richard to turn the land into a nature habitat. Muskogee County CD will operate and maintain the site, to be named “The Bonnie and Richard Geer Nature Sanctuary.” Plans include reestablishment of native grasses and flowers including tallgrass prairie plants and native trees as well as food and habitat sources for birds and wildlife. Establishment of a wetlands area may also be possible.

aerial image of land — A 2003 aerial photo of the property shows the two 3-4 acre ponds and some of the details. Because of the variation in slope and elevation on the property, there is a very diverse soil survey that would support a very diverse range of vegetation.

The site is west of Muskogee at the intersection of Highways 62 and 162. The area will be made available to area schools and nature/conservation organizations for outdoor classrooms and other conservation and nature related activities.

“We express our thanks and appreciation to Ms. Geer for this contribution that will preserve a small piece of natural history for future generations,” said Andy Qualls, Muskogee County CD equipment manager. He invites anyone with a class or group interested in using the facility for nature/natural resource/conservation educational purposes or who would like to be involved in the restoration of the area to contact the Muskogee County CD, (918) 687-3478.

“We are very excited at the potential that this site holds for Muskogee County and the possible educational uses and enjoyment presented by this donation.”