Cross Timbers Nature Trail
Here at the Tulsa Botanic Garden, we are proud stewards of our Cross Timbers Nature Trail. This stunning representation of the Cross Timbers Ecological Region (1) is nestled within the Osage Hills. Our current trail winds throughout the remnant prairie tucked between an ancient Post Oak-Blackjack Oak Forest and our Centennial Persimmon Grove. We actively maintain this space to benefit native plant and animal communities and to encourage guests to immerse themselves in place-based ecological context.
Prescribed Burn
We broke ground toward active management in October of 2024 with a 19-acre prescribed burn. Alongside our partners Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture and the Pawnee and Osage County Burn Associations, we will continue to leverage fire to restore the processes of a thriving Cross Timbers system.
Read more about our prescribed burn.
New Trail
To reduce human-caused disturbance that may negatively impact the ecological complexity on this site, we have removed access to our old trail and, with the help of partnering organizations, cut in a new 0.8-mile trail. This new trail cuts directly through the space we administered the prescribed burn last fall. Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition lent us their passion and expertise in mapping and establishing our new trail.
This work is a small step towards our goals of expanding the trail system to a total of up to 5 miles while also stewarding our 100-acre slice of Cross Timbers.
No restoration project would be legitimate without community involvement. Volunteer efforts and donor support are crucial in bridging ecological coherence and community enrichment. To get involved or learn more about this project, please sign up to receive updates and upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Map showing New Trail:
