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Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma   You may have noticed the familiar sign bearing the
series of 13 driving loops that take you through areas that provide the greatest likelihood
to see wildlife. Along each loop are stopping points, which include both public and private
lands. From antelope to armadillos, from bison to butterflies, from roadrunners to ringtail
cats, western Oklahoma and the Great Plains Trail abound with wildlife.  In addition to
wildlife viewing, you'll encounter opportunities to hike, ride horses, go caving, dig for
crystals, swim, rock climb, camp, boat, hunt, fish and explore museums and historic
markers.  As you travel western Oklahoma you'll meet welcoming people, experience
friendly small towns, and discover breathtaking landscapes. Wide, lazy rivers, deep red
canyons, sparkling lakes, shimmering salt flats, bubbling springs, seas of prairie grasses
and star studded skies, all await your exploration.

A recent marketing tool for the Great Plains Trail is the introduction of  the “bird biz”
cards.  These cards feature pictures of the birds one would find along the particular loop
along with the common and Latin name. A description of  the species along with the name
and phone number of the sponsoring business are found on back.

For more information on the Great Plains Trail visit  the
official website.  You can locate a trail  that fits your trip.
Load up the family and hit the road to experience all the
great wildlife that calls Oklahoma home.  Click this link to
visit Great Plains Trail..http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/greatplains/wildlifetrails.htm
Drive the Great Plains Trail and experience nature at its best!....
The Oklahoma Wildlife & Prairie Heritage Alliance
The OWPHA was formed to provide enhanced coordination, cooperation and
communication to conserve the short and mixed grass prairie’s diverse habitat and unique
wildlife which is found in Western Oklahoma. The OWPHA distributes information to assist
landowners, informs the region’s communities and businesses, and serves as a conduit
for wildlife and prairie heritage programming opportunities for the area. The main
objective is to bridge the gap between programs and projects.   The OWPHA is the parent
of the Great Plains Trail.  It works with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife  in developing
features of the trail.

The  association covers 33 counties of Western Oklahoma.
The OWPHA was voted Outstanding Supporting Organization 2009
by the Oklahoma RC&D. Info at www.owpha.org
Agritourism has best been defined as inviting the public onto a working farm or
ranch to purchase products, learn, have fun, or just relax. Most people in the industry
simply describe Agritourism as the crossroads where agriculture and tourism meet.
Agriculture has long been Oklahoma’s largest industry and tourism has grown to be our
state’s third largest industry. It only makes sense that we link these two industries to
increase Oklahoma communities for tourism markets.

Agritourism is a growing industry and one that has strong potential in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma has a unique western and culturally divers heritage. From the ancient
civilizations displayed at the “Spiro Mounds,” to the “Great Plains Trail” featuring thirteen
scenic driving loops that highlight the native wildlife, prairies, culture, and terrain, to the
forced placement of the “Five Civilized Tribes,” to the crossing of the “Santa Fe Trail” and
the rowdy history of the cattle drives of the “Chisholm Trail” and the “Great Western Trail,”
to the pure excitement of each and every Oklahoma Land Run, no other state’s history
can compare to ours!

The terrain of Oklahoma is one of America’s most diverse. From southeastern
Oklahoma’s forests to the vast tall grass prairie in Osage County, to the beautiful rolling
hills of the northeast and the wheat belt of north central Oklahoma, to the open short
grass prairie of western Oklahoma and the Mesa country of the farthest reaches of the
Panhandle, Oklahoma has it all! It’s time we show off what we have and be proud.