Nature Conservancy Protects Key Oklahoma Environments

 

Oklahoma
Image: nature.org

Duke Ligon, an energy executive based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has started or developed numerous natural resource-focused companies over the course of his long career. A University of Texas graduate and the current head of Mekusukey Oil Company, LLC, Duke Ligon supports a range of nonprofit groups that work to improve the quality of life for the people of the southern Central West. One of these nonprofits is the Nature Conservancy, where he is a member of the board of directors.

Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy strives to preserve the biodiversity of the world’s lands and waterways. And for the past 31 years, the organization has worked to protecting notable environmentally-sensitive sites in Oklahoma. These protected areas now total 100,000 acres.

Four of these sites maintain public access. The more than 1,500 acres of central shortgrass prairie in Black Mesa Nature Preserve, located in Oklahoma’s Panhandle, are home to dozens of species of rare plants and animals. Visitors to the preserve can climb to the state’s highest point, a plateau almost 5,000 feet above sea level.

The Keystone Ancient Forest Preserve safeguards red cedar trees and oaks that are, in some cases, more than 500 years old. The Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, at close to 40,000 acres, is the world’s largest stretch of unspoiled tallgrass prairie and is now ranged by thousands of bison. The J. T. Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve encompasses 17,000 acres of Ozark land, filled with spring-fed creeks and biomes ranging from savanna to forest and pine-filled woodlands.

Civil War Trust Promotes Video Honoring the Brave 54th Massachusetts

The Civil War Trust
Image: civilwar.org

Duke Ligon, currently head of Mekusukey Oil Company, LLC, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, serves on the boards of directors of other energy companies in the region, including Blueknight Energy Partners, L.P. Additionally, Duke Ligon is an active and committed philanthropist, supporting numerous nonprofit organizations as a board member, donor, and fundraiser.

Among these is the Washington, D.C.-based Civil War Trust, dedicated to preserving the heritage of Civil War and Revolutionary War battlefield sites for the education of future generations. The trust’s work includes the public education efforts of its website, which offers links to vivid virtual history lessons that include a short video on the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment. This company was made famous through the Oscar-winning 1989 film Glory.

The 54th was among the United States’ first African-American military companies. Although the war had begun in 1860, and supporters of abolition had argued for the inclusion of African-American troops on the Union side, it was not until 1863 that such a unit was allowed to form.

More than 1,000 black soldiers, many from slave states, quickly signed up to serve. Two of the sons of abolitionist Frederick Douglass served in the company. Under the command of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the 54th charged the Confederate base at Fort Wagner on the Port of Charleston. Tragically, they were overwhelmed and saw half their number killed, including Shaw. But this brave assault weakened the Confederates to such an extent that they soon abandoned the fort.v

Information about the Isaiah Stone Foundation

 

Isaiah Stone Foundation
Image: isaiahstonefoundation.com

Duke Ligon is an attorney and business leader in Oklahoma City. The manager and owner of Mekusukey Oil Company, Duke Ligon also sits on the board of the Heritage Trust, an independent trust bank that supports many nonprofit organizations, including the Isaiah Stone Foundation.

The Isaiah Stone Foundation provides support and resources for families of the 400,000 children who have epilepsy in the United States. Epilepsy is a neurological condition that typically causes recurrent seizures.

More than 40 types of seizures are associated with epilepsy, and seizure types vary among epilepsy patients. Seizures range from simply “zoning out” to violent thrashing and stiffness of muscles.

Medical advancements have done little to increase the understanding of epilepsy, so its causes and potential cures remain unknown. Currently, five percent of children born in the United States are diagnosed with epilepsy before they reach the age of 5. To support the families of children with epilepsy through the Isiah Stone Foundation, visit www.isaiahstonefoundation.com.

Oklahoma City Museum of Art Hosts 20th Century’s Greatist Works

 

Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA)
Image: okcmoa.com

Duke Ligon’s career is one defined by leadership. He has served as a captain in the U.S. Army, holds seats on the boards of directors for numerous energy companies, and holds a range of positions with community service organizations. In addition to working for such causes as the St. Anthony Foundation and the Civil War Trust, Duke Ligon is the vice-chairman of the board of trustees at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

Oklahoma City might not seem to be particularly prestigious in the art world, but earlier in 2016, it had the privilege of being the only city outside of Europe to host an exhibition of more than 100 pieces of the 20th century’s greatest art, brought from Europe’s largest art museum. More than half of the pieces displayed were creations of Henri Matisse, but included other artists like Amadeo Modigliani and Pablo Picasso. The exhibit was a unique opportunity to see these pieces on display together, as they are rarely all shown at the Centre Pompidou of Paris, and it is likely that many of them will never be displayed outside of Europe ever again.