With Spring at our doorstep, it’s time to start planning road trips to enjoy Oklahoma’s natural beauty. Fortunately, Oklahoma’s remote nature preserves are just a click away! You can catch a glimpse of breathtaking scenery before you go. Of course, nothing compares to physically experiencing nature, but virtual field trips offer a convenient pseudo immersion, so you can be prepared to pack for the real journey.
The Nature Conservancy and Bank of America teamed up to bring a program called OK360 online, which provides high definition, panoramic views of some of Oklahoma’s native and diverse landscapes. A viewer can click on the location they wish to see, and when the image appears, a 360° swivel function is available for observers to look all around, just as if one was actually standing in the park.
There are many virtual sites to choose from. You can take a stroll through the prairie amongst free-ranging bison at Tallgrass Prairie Preserve; get an up close view of the Illinois River and woodlands in the foothills of the Ozarks at J.T. Nickel Preserve; embark on a journey through the rugged canyons and mixed-grass prairie at Four Canyon Preserve; experience the free-flowing waters of the Blue River at Oka’ Yanahli Preserve; and take a trek through the limestone glades and wildflowers at Pontotoc Ridge Preserve. Tucked within the 360° views are photo and video icons, which can be clicked upon to reveal helpful information and close-up views of resident plants and animals.
Taking a virtual tour is great, but most of the spectacular views are from just a few vantage points in each park. Physically traveling to the parks are always the best way to experience Oklahoma, especially if you’re a nature lover, or a photographer. So as a matter of convenience, on the same website, you can learn of actual field trips and volunteer opportunities! Some of the areas available during the excursions are not always open to the public, so it might be enjoyable to participate in a unique immersion during the spring or fall.
Regardless of whether you take a physical field trip or not, you might find it relaxing to escape the city online, and immerse yourself in the scenic beauty of Oklahoma’s wild places! You can navigate your way around 40 high-definition scenes to learn about native plants, animals and ecology using this multi-media website. Explore the beauty of nature in Oklahoma today!
