Brief Summary of Two Organizations
The two organizations were selected in Oklahoma; they create local, sustainable solutions, namely Oklahoma Sustainability Network (OSN) and the Nature Conservancy (TNC). The Oklahoma Sustainability Network connects and educates Oklahoma’s citizens about the various facets of sustainability. This organization serves as a catalyst and platform for developing Oklahoma’s economy, environment, and equality (Oklahoma Sustainability Network, n.d.). OSN promotes policies and ideas for low-cost renewable energy power plants, including large-scale utility solar and small-scale distributed solar installations. Oklahoma has a long history of energy innovation, and OSN believes that a varied spectrum of energy resources will foster economic growth, employment generation, and market competitiveness (Oklahoma Sustainability Network, n.d.). Hence, the organization pushes for legislation and investments that will spur new business growth across the state, resulting in increased efficiency, economic resilience, and safer technology. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has been working to preserve Oklahoma’s stunning landscapes and unique wildlife since 1986 (The Nature Conservancy, n.d.). Essentially, TNC is a tax-exempt charitable organization that develops creative, on-the-ground approaches to the world’s most challenging problems so that people and the environment may coexist.
Organizational Goals in Terms of Sustainability
The organizational goals of the Oklahoma Sustainability Network (OSN) are to protect airshed and public health, promote environmentally-friendly solutions, reduce emissions, and conserve water. According to the official website, the projects are related to clean air and energy; the organization evaluates yearly reports from Oklahoma’s regulated industries and regularly attends stakeholder meetings(Oklahoma Sustainability Network, n.d.). Furthermore, the OSN invites individuals to interact, pose questions, seek assistance and guidance, submit event details, and share stories about their Oklahoma environmental experiences. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) goals include preserving the environment for future generations of Oklahoma (The Nature Conservancy, n.d.). For instance, the organization aims to save Monarchs, invest in a sustainable food system, and conserve lands and waters.
Possible Contributions
Notably, the selected organizations are non-profit and charitable. Thus, people in the community can contribute to sustainable initiatives via donations and volunteering. Oklahomans can donate to OSN or TNC to help ensure a thriving natural environment. Additionally, these organizations need volunteers to help enhance sustainability. Averill (2018) states that the TNC volunteers assist, plant, estimate, gather, analyze, and otherwise preserve wildlife each year. Every outstanding achievement at The Nature Conservancy has a volunteer team behind it because they are the stewards responsible for planting seeds and repairing paths (Averill, 2018). Citizens can participate in collaborative activities that have the potential to provide considerable conservation benefits in both rural and urban areas.
For instance, via volunteering, they can help to save Monarchs. These butterflies are distinctive in many ways, but one of the most important is where they lay their eggs (Stories in Oklahoma, 2020). Oklahoma lies at the heart of the monarch migration route; thus, citizens have to provide adequate food, housing, and breeding sites for these butterflies during their spring and fall migrations in order for them to survive and breed (Stories in Oklahoma, 2020). Planting milkweed is a simple approach to restoring monarch habitat while benefiting other pollinators. Citizens can help the organization save nature by sharing stories about their Oklahoma environmental experiences (Oklahoma Sustainability Network, n.d.). Thus, the collaborative actions will help identify potential sustainability problems and solve them efficiently. Increasing monarch habitat throughout Oklahoma is an example of collaborative efforts; nonetheless, the joint work may promote eco-friendly solutions to existing sustainable challenges.
References
Averill (2018). Viva volunteers. Web.
Oklahoma Sustainability Network. (n.d.). Economy, ecology, equity. Web.
Stories in Oklahoma. (2020). Collaborating to save the Monarchs. Web.
The Nature Conservancy. (n.d.) United States Oklahoma. Web.