Okmulgee Wildlife Management Area, Oklahoma
Research Natural Area
Our remote sensing and field surveys indicate that the Okmulgee WMA preserves the largest contiguous tract of ancient Cross Timbers that still remains anywhere in this ecosystem. The WMA is located 5 miles west of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, and totals 10,900 acres. We estimate that perhaps as much as 6,000 acres in the WMA retain relatively undisturbed old growth “Cross Timbers” woodlands. This property is owned by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife and is managed by Mr. Bruce Burton. Dr. Steve Hallgren of Oklahoma State University has initiated long term forest ecological research at the WMA. Mr. Ryan DeSantis of OSU is conducting a component of his dissertation research on the WMA. Mr. Burton’s son, Jesse Burton, is also working with Dr. Hallgren at OSU and is preparing a masters thesis project focusing on the Cross Timbers. Christina Stallings is writing her master’s thesis at OSU on the ecological changes that have occurred since the 1950s upland forest surveys in Oklahoma by Dr. Elroy Rice (University of Oklahoma, with W.T. Penfound).