The Oka' Institute

05/04/2026

Prescribed fire in action. 🔥
This behind-the-scenes look with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) highlights how intentional burns improve habitat, reduce wildfire risk, and support long-term land stewardship.

04/28/2026

What a great day at Water Fest yesterday at East Central University.

Hundreds of 5th graders from Ada and Byng spent the day learning about water through hands on activities, alongside several partner organizations. A big part of making the day possible was the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, who helped host and bring water education to life.

The energy, curiosity, and engagement made it clear the future of water stewardship is in good hands.

04/21/2026

Access to safe, reliable water starts at home.

If you rely on a private well, regular testing is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family’s health. Because private wells are not regulated, it is up to well owners to monitor water quality.

Oklahoma State University Extension is offering free well water testing across Southeast Oklahoma, making it easier than ever to understand what is in your water and take action if needed. Even if you do not live in one of the listed counties, you can still participate by bringing your sample to a nearby testing location.

Learn more and find a testing site near you: https://bit.ly/40yfBed

At Oka, we believe informed communities are resilient communities. Knowing your water is the first step toward protecting it.

Free Well Water Testing!

Private well water is unregulated meaning well owners are responsible for testing and maintaining their household drinking water. Oklahoma State University Extension, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at Oklahoma State University and OWRC is partnering to host a fourteen county free well water testing event in Southeast Oklahoma.

Participants, including those who do not live in the counties, can bring their well water to any of the 14 locations to get it tested.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/40yfBed

04/20/2026

We are proud of our Land Stewardship and Prescribed Fire team and the work they continue to lead across our region.

From planning and preparation to boots on the ground, their efforts are helping restore landscapes, reduce fuel loads, and strengthen water resources for the long term. This is what stewardship looks like in action.

If your land needs management or you are interested in practices like prescribed fire, brush control, or improving your property’s health, reach out to our team. We would love to connect.

04/15/2026

This summer, research is happening right here in Ada and it is shaping the future of our land and water.

Through a collaboration with East Central University, the Oka Institute is leading field-based research focused on pollinators, water quality, wildlife, and ecosystem health across property owned by City of Ada. Each project plays a role in helping us better understand and protect the natural resources our communities depend on.

From bees to groundwater to Blue River, this work is building a stronger, more sustainable future for south central Oklahoma.

👉 Read more about the Summer 2026 research collaboration

This summer, the Oka Institute brings together partners, researchers, and students to better understand the natural systems that sustain our communities. In 2026, that work continues through a collaboration with the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at East Central University. Toge...

03/10/2026

Congratulations to Bill Clark on being awarded the 2025 Oklahoma Leopold Conservation Award Make sure to check out this video about it, starring our Land Stewardship Coordinator Clay Horton

Bill Clark wanted to be a rancher ever since he was tall enough to feed calves at his grandfather’s dairy farm. He met the love of his life, a rancher’s daug...

02/11/2026

What happens when satellite technology, drought science, and community knowledge meet at the same table?

Over two incredible days, the Drought Severity Evaluation Tool (DSET) Project Kick-Off and Technical Training brought together our project partners and technical team for a collaborative effort focused on strengthening drought resilience across communities within the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations.

Together, participants explored cutting-edge Earth Observation technology, mapped real drought conditions using Climate Engine tools, and worked to transform complex environmental data into practical strategies that support communities, protect water resources, and strengthen long-term planning.

From technical deep dives into climate datasets and API workflows to collaborative discussions grounded in local experience, the event highlighted the power of partnership and shared learning.

This was more than a training, it was collaboration in action. By working together, our team is building tools, expanding knowledge, and helping communities better understand drought severity, improve preparedness, and safeguard water resources for the future.

The momentum built during these two days continues to guide the work ahead, and we are proud to move forward alongside our project partners in support of the communities we serve.

02/11/2026

Fact: Nearly 90% of Oklahoma’s water use supports agriculture — from livestock to irrigation.

🌱 Conserving water on the land helps sustain rural economies and protect water quality downstream.

02/05/2026

Did you know?
A small household leak can waste thousands of gallons of water each year.💡Fixing leaks is one of the easiest ways to protect local water supplies.

01/30/2026

🌊 Project Spotlight: Blue River Watershed
Healthy land means healthy water. Through restoration, partnerships, and local stewardship, the Oka’ Institute is helping strengthen water quality and habitat across the Blue River Watershed — today and for generations to come. 🌱

01/26/2026

Water data isn’t just numbers on a page. It helps communities plan ahead, protect infrastructure, and make informed decisions before a crisis hits. Read why water data matters more than you might think.
👉 Link below

For many people, water data feels distant or abstract. It lives in charts, maps, and reports that rarely make headlines. But when a community faces a boil order, a flooded treatment plant, or a prolonged drought, water data suddenly becomes very real.At the Oka’ Institute, we see water data as a f...

01/22/2026

Fact: Only about 1% of Earth’s water is available for human use — the rest is saltwater or locked in glaciers.

🌀 That’s why protecting and managing our freshwater systems, like the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer and the Blue River, is so critical for Oklahoma communities.