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As we wrap up 2024, we proudly reflect on hosting a Blue Thumb training for water quality professionals this past weekend, featuring participants from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) and the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts (OACD). The training included engaging discussions on nonpoint source pollution—highlighting how everyday activities contribute to water contamination—and practical sessions on Blue Thumb monitoring procedures, which empower communities to protect their local waterways. We deeply appreciate the dedication of ODEQ and OACD attendees and look forward to continuing our collaborative work in the coming year.
Speaking of Blue Thumb training, please help spread the word for our upcoming trainings in Stillwater and Alva! You can find the information for these trainings at the top of the newsletter or on our website.
Happy Holidays!
Hunter Hodson
Blue Thumb Field Education Coordinator
My Monarch 3.0
I missed getting an article in the last e-newsletter so here is some news about three monarchs in my yard, starting from the eggs!
I was watching a chrysalis that was dangling from a very dry leaf on one of my tall common milkweed plants. This was very late October. Since I had seen adult monarchs on my milkweed, I was expecting some caterpillars, and indeed I had several! This chrysalis turned very dark, but instead of producing a butterfly, it stayed very dark. Then the drought broke with much rain and wind, and the chrysalis disappeared. I fear the butterfly had died before emergence.
Then I found another chrysalis, and it was looking good! I eagerly watched it, and it darkened and soon I walked out to check on it and there was a beautiful monarch sitting on the milkweed leaves trying to straighten its wings. Time passed, and the wings failed to take on their proper form. I did some googling and came to the conclusion that this butterfly may have been infected with a parasite called Ophryocystis elektroscirrha. It was clear to me that there was not likely to be a good outcome for my monarch, so I named him Toby and chose to keep him as a pet and as an education helper.
Toby went to the flowers and the sugar water mixture that I placed in his container, and it appeared that he was eating and drinking (maybe with butterflies it is better referred to as drinking?). His wings never straightened out. It was nice to have a butterfly pet, but it was sad to have a monarch that could not make the journey south. It was a good reminder to me that creatures have many challenges in their lives. Some butterflies fall victim to parasites and disease.
I had an opportunity to talk to the Bristow Rotary Club and Toby went with me. In addition to giving them an introduction to Blue Thumb, I encouraged the group to have nature friendly yards. Toby was in a clear container which was passed around for the Rotarians to see him, and I guess that all in the group cared about animals, as each seemed to enjoy meeting Toby and seemed sorry for his condition. Toby died two days later.
The day Toby died another monarch was perched on the common milkweed near my front door. This little guy did the wing pumping, then flew to some additional wildflowers, then flew to a tree, then took off and headed south. It is possible that a few additional monarchs may have started their lives on my milkweed, and I simply missed them. This is my hope.
It is good for all of us to make nature observations, to spend time outdoors and to look under leaves and on branches. I have common milkweed well established in my yard, so next summer I will hope to have monarch visitors again and I will do what I can to have a property that contributes to the successful outcome of these beautiful butterflies.
Stream Protection Training for Cities
Blue Thumb was joined by the Conservation Commission’s Soil Health Team to provide a 2.5 hour “Stream Protection” training for the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality on November 15. Since offering this training first in Glenpool a year ago, several cities have asked for this, and we view this effort as a success. ODEQ had learned of the training, and had an interest, and for this we are very glad.
Think about your community. Would they benefit from an introduction to water quality? Could they use information about the importance of riparian areas? If you think your city could benefit, please contact me. Blue Thumb wants to take this training into cities all over Oklahoma and start conversations about practices that result in a greater level of protection for our streams.
Cheryl Cheadle
Blue Thumb Volunteer Coordinator
In the New Year, join us for dynamic and hands-on educator workshops that bring together Project WILD and Project Learning Tree (PLT) curricula to foster environmental literacy and stewardship in the next generation. These workshops are designed to empower educators with practical tools to connect students to the natural world through inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and active exploration. Join us when we are in your neck of the woods, January 18th in Stillwater, February 22nd in Oklahoma City, March 29th in Tahlequah, and April 12th in Lawton.
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Morning Session, 9 AM to Noon: Tailored for early childhood educators, this session will focus on interactive, age-appropriate activities that inspire wonder and curiosity about nature in children ages 3-6 from PLT's "Trees & Me" and WILD's "Growing Up WILD" curriculum resources. Learn how to integrate playful, sensory-based learning into your classroom to develop early environmental awareness.
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Afternoon Session, 1 to 4 PM: Geared toward elementary educators (K-5), this session provides hands-on strategies and activities to meet learning standards while engaging students in environmental education utilizing PLT'S "Explore Your Environment" and WILD's "Aquatic WILD" curricula. Discover how to integrate science, literacy, and creative problem-solving to nurture environmental responsibility and knowledge.
By attending, you’ll help foster future generations of environmentally literate, compassionate, and engaged citizens. Participants will walk away with certificates for professional development hours and sets of both Project Learning Tree and Project WILD curriculum guides.
We look forward to seeing you there and growing a greener, more responsible future together! Contact Jack Hilgert for more details.
Jack Hilgert
Blue Thumb Environmental Education Coordinator
 The EE Expo is the state environmental conference bringing together educators, community leaders, and environmental advocates to discuss strategies for nature-based and outdoor learning. The 2025 OK EE Expo will be held on February 7 at the OKC Zoo. You can register for the expo here. Scholarships to attend the expo are available from OKAEE. You can access the scholarship application here.
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