Kingfisher Trails has received a welcome helping hand in helping complete its newest phase.

The latest portion is Phase 2 of the Francis Nature Trail, which is in the area west and north of Walmart.

Part of that phase included the installation of interpretive nature signs along a very natural area of the trail.

The issue? Cost. “Kingfisher Trails always has a struggle to come up with the matching funds for grants that we receive,” said Trails Chairman John Gooden.

Enter Isabella Valderrama, wellness coordinator for the Kingfisher County Healthy Living Program.

Her position is funded by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET). ( Editor’s Note: See TSET’s ad promoting the Farmer’s Market on Page 8 of this edition.)

Valderrame arranged for TSET to underwrite the costs of the signs.

“Isabella has been vitally important in getting our latest Trails project under way,” Gooden said.

There are 5 signs in total:

• Frogs and Toads

• Pollinators

• The Life Cycle of Monarchs • Native Plants

• The Buzz About Bees All of the signs are installed and ready for the public, Gooden added.

“Kingfisher Trails would like to encourage everyone to take a walk along the Francis Nature Trail and take a look!” he said.

The current project, under construction now, will finish the connection to the trail originating at Walmart and terminating at Mitchell Drive, north of the Cimar-ron Nursing Center.

Kingfisher Trails is constructing a new trail across the field to the west of the nursing center and linking to 13th Street and the trail at the Briscoe Sports Complex.

“It is only through the cooperative efforts of those in our community like Isabella that we are able to do what we do,” Gooden said.