Tulsa World: Going green begins with introspection

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Going green begins with introspection

A man you can Trust: Michael Patton relaxes among the roses at the Tulsa Garden Center. MICHAEL WYKE / Tulsa World

By MATT GLEASON World Scene Writer
Published: 11/19/2009 2:19 AM
Last Modified: 11/19/2009 10:02 AM

Michael Patton heads Tulsa's Metropolitan Environmental Trust. Here's a few of Patton's favorite local spots to, as he said, "inspire environmentalism." Plus, it'll make you feel warm to read his words about daydreaming amid butterflies.

The Tulsa Garden Center

2435 S. Peoria Ave.

The 90-year-old mansion is surrounded by stunning roses to one side, a working greenhouse and the Linnaeus Garden, a teaching garden with 4,000 plants all identified by signage or volunteer tour guide. Gardening changes a person and the warmth of the earth in their hands makes them see plants differently the rest of their lives.

The Pedestrian Bridge

29th Street and Riverside Drive

Getting out over the water is different than jogging or driving alongside. During most of the year, you can see striper and drum fish swimming beneath your feet and catch the least tern nesting sites in the distance. I like to go out and look back through the fountain spray to find a rainbow over the downtown skyline.

Redbud Valley Nature Preserve

16150 Redbud Drive, west of Catoosa

This preserve puts one at touch with nature with beautiful hiking trails. It is one of my favorite places to slow down. There may not be a better place in all of Oklahoma to daydream, watch butterflies or just listen to nature.

The Westside YMCA

5400 S. Olympia Ave.

Just minutes from downtown, this 28-acre camp at the edge of Turkey Mountain every year gives hundreds of city kids a chance to hike in woods filled with tall oak trees, learn to canoe and fish in a quiet and safe pond. The facility is open year-round and is a great place for small reunions and birthday party picnics.

The front curb of your house

No environmental discussion needs as much attention as to what we throw away. It makes no sense to me to have twice-a-week garbage and twice-a-month recyclable pickup. Add to that the uninformed neighbor, who bags up his leaves and grass, and you can clearly see that we generate too much trash. By MATT GLEASON World Scene Writer

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