LOCAL
Kimberly Marsh, The Oklahoma Eagle
Residents can share their ideas and hopes with the Sustainability Task Force during the public meetings. Photo: Kimberly Marsh/The Oklahoma Eagle
Starting Thursday, Tulsa’s Sustainability Task Force will kick off five meetings across the city to share its goals and hear from residents.
Corey Williams, one of 18 members on the task force established in March, said it gives Tulsa’s businesses and communities a chance to solve the city’s most challenging issues together.
“This is the first time I’m aware of a mayor bringing together a very diverse group of professionals with different interests in sustainability to really find some common ground around the mayor’s priorities,” Williams, executive director of Tulsa-based nonprofit The Sustainability Alliance, said. “The approach is to get different voices in the room.”
She said it also reflects The Sustainability Alliance’s goal to meet people where they are and break down silos.
The task force comprises people who represent energy companies, nonprofits and city departments, including Tulsa Parks.
Nancy Moran, a retired public health nurse and environmentalist, wants to see as many people as possible be involved in the upcoming meetings.
“In recent years, Tulsa has been impacted by natural disasters that decrease the quality of the air,” Moran said, citing the 2019 Arkansas River flood and Tulsa County wildfires in March. “Excessive heat is driving up energy and water costs. A sustainable and environmentally healthy future depends on careful city planning and citizen input.”
Thursday’s meeting is set to be held at Zarrow Regional Library from 5:30-7 p.m. Future events are set for Sept. 2 at Hardesty Regional Library; Sept. 11 at Central Library; Sept. 15 at Rudisill Regional Library; and Sept. 23 at Martin Regional Library.
The task force is also seeking public input through an online survey. The deadline to respond is on Sept. 30.
After the public meetings wrap up, the group will recommend investments in initiatives and projects that implement sustainable solutions.
