© 2026 Boise State Public Radio
NPR in Idaho
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Our Living Lands is a collaboration of the Mountain West News Bureau, Koahnic Broadcast Corporation and Native Public Media.

For the Chickasaw Nation, planting trees protects both climate and culture

Woman assists a child to shovel dirt onto a newly planted tree. They are participating in a tree planting ceremony as other children and adults look on.
Sarah Liese
/
KOSU Radio
Approximately 20 children from the Chickasaw Nation Head Start participated in a tree planting ceremony at the Oka’Yanahi Preserve in Tishomingo on October 7, 2025. The event was in partnership with the Chickasaw Nation, the Nature Conservancy and the Oklahoma Forestry Services.

In southern Oklahoma, the Chickasaw Nation is planting trees to combat climate change. The project is also ensuring that Chickasaw culture gets passed down to the next generation.

Jennie Mosely, the Chickasaw Nation’s Sustainability Director, said she brings her father’s lessons to her work: “He said that whenever you think about land, you have to realize that people died for it. Our ancestors did. A lot of people fought to keep title to their land, and some of them didn't survive. So the people that have survived, it just kind of shows me that I am honored to take care of this land, because I am kind of keeping their memory alive.”

Sarah Liese (Twilla) reports on Indigenous Affairs for KOSU.

You make stories like this possible.

The biggest portion of Boise State Public Radio's funding comes from readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

Your donation today helps make our local reporting free for our entire community.