Non-profit brings new life to U. S. 69N in Durant
Color Oklahoma is proud to announce a record-breaking $25,000investment in native wildflower seeds to be planted across the state in 2025.
The City of Durant and the Durant Fortnightly Club are grant recipients of the non-profit, and will use the funds to beautify US-69N at Exit 16 near the high school.
The grant, totaling $3,000, will fund the planting of native Oklahoma wildflower seeds by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, who will maintain the area.
GFWC-OK Fortnightly Club of Durant (organized in 1902/federated in 1903) and the City of Durant are partners in the grant. The seeds will be planted in late November or early December. The Durant location chosen is three acres eastside and three acres westside of highway 69/75 near Exit 16.
“I applied for a $1500 grant (Club & City) and $1500 was matched for a total of $3000 in seed for approximately six acres of land,” said Charlene C. Ridgway, GFWCOK president. “Species chosen are Purple-Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella), and Lance-leaf Coreopisis (Coreopisis tinctoria). Showy Evening Primrose (Oenothera speciosa) can be added next year. Our original choice location around US Highways 69/75 and 70 will be under heavy construction in 2027. (Rebuilding Bridge).
“I learned from several local gardeners, farmers, and beekeepers in Durant about crops not doing as well this year and about the decrease in bees in our area. Humans depend on bees to pollinate 70 out of 100 major crops from apples and blueberries to watermelon and zucchini, but bees are in crisis. Fifty-five percent of America’s bee colonies collapsed over the past year. Fewer bees = less food. This is alarming! Bees suffer from the loss of wildflower habitat due to pesticide use and urbanization. A solution is to plant wildflowers in our back yards, public places, and near highways. Bees are dying due to a torrent of pesticides called “neonics” which is a leading culprit in the devastating collapse of bee populations. NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) filed suit against the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to restrict the use of bee-toxic pesticides in the United States. The European Union has banned most uses of toxic chemicals, but Bayer Manufacturing is still selling in the United States. Neonics is also a mounting concern impacting human health. Experts increasingly warn that the pollinator crises could be spiraling into a human health crisis.”
The seeds will include the Oklahoma state wildflower, the Gaillardia, as well as Lance-leaf Coreopsis and PurpleConeflower. The combination of flowers will provide bright orange, yellow and purple flowers along the local landscape.
The statewide project will see 800 pounds of seeds planted along some of Oklahoma’s most-visible highways and turnpikes, as well as in public spaces such as city parks, bringing lively seasonal color to the landscape while supporting pollinators and native ecosystems.
The initiative is part of Color Oklahoma’s ongoing mission to preserve the state’s wildflower heritage and promote native plant education and conservation.
The plantings will be maintained in partnership with ODOT and local governments,ensuring long-lasting beauty and ecological benefit for communities across Oklahoma. Founded in 2002, Color Oklahoma has been helping transform communities by investing in more than $100,000 of seed plantings across the state.
The primary source of funding to support the organization and its seed purchases is through the sale of the wildflower specialty license plates.
“Color Oklahoma proves that planting small seeds can lead to big change, like connecting people to nature, supporting pollinators, and making Oklahoma a more vibrant place for everyone,” said Chairperson Monica Bartling. “These wildflowers turn ordinary roadsides into living works of art and remind us all of the natural beauty that makes Oklahoma so special.”
To purchase a license plate, make a donation, or learn how to get involved with Color Oklahoma, visit the website at coloroklahoma. com.