Two top officials responsible for protecting the land, water and air will speak and interact with attendees at a free, public program at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 24, at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Center & Library.
Oklahoma’s Secretary of Energy and the Environment, Ken McQueen, and the Choctaw Nation’s Senior Director of Environmental Protection Services, Tye Baker, will provide insights about the Texoma Region’s natural resources and how citizens can all work together to protect, sustain and enhance them.
“It is extraordinary to have such experienced and high ranking leaders participate in a local discussion so important to our quality of life and economic vitality, including agriculture, ranching, tourism, and each resident’s health and well-being,” said Mark Mesiti-Miller, chair of the non-profit Durant Sustainability Coalition, which is sponsoring the program. “Everyone is invited.”
Also, a panel featuring local experts will be present to offer ideas and answer questions about simple, yet important things residents can do to assure we have healthy habitats for fish, wildlife, and humans too.
Panelists and areas of focus include:
• Going Green/Recycling, Douglas Bailey, Senior Environmental Sustainability Manager for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
• Wildlife and landowner interface, Leah Lowe, Wildlife Biologist with the Oklahoma Wildlife Department.
• Water and Water Habitats, Amy Hayes with the Oka’ The Water Institute at East Central University.
McQueen currently serves as the Governor’s Chief Energy and Environment Advisor. In this position, Mc-Queen plays a critical role in advising the administration on policy that encourages robust and responsible development of the state’s natural resources to ensure clean air and clear water for all Oklahomans.
Baker currently serves as the Choctaw Nation’s Senior Director of the Environmental Protection Service, where he directs wildlife conservation, resource management, and environmental sustainability programs. He also was appointed this summer to the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC), a federal advisory committee that works to address the climate crisis at home and abroad.
The “Land-Water-Air: Safeguarding Texoma’s Natural Resources” program is presented by the Durant Sustainability Coalition, a non-profit non-political local organization founded in 2022 committed to educating and energizing citizens in sustaining our region’s environmental richness, natural resources and beauty.
This will be its 15th interactive, informational program offered free to local residents. Currently, DSC and Durant Trails and Open Spaces also are offering a free webinar series to help local citizens better understand how to make their home town more financially sustainable and address practical local issues like parking and safe routes to schools. These weekly programs are at noon Thursdays through Oct. 31 at the Kiamichi Center on east Main. DSC also organizes a monthly volunteer “trash pick-up” to remove trash and litter on the last Sunday of every month.