Every time I visit my hometown, Tulsa, Okla., I am amazed by how much it has grown. This time, I am mostly aware of the renovation of the downtown district and the revamp of Brookside, a street in midtown Tulsa that houses many restaurants, bars, galleries and boutiques. 

 

While there is still an overwhelming number of Hummers and other obnoxious SUVs, the city seems to be moving toward creating a greener environment. While watching a local bike race, Tulsa Tough, I observed the city's attempt to educate its citizens on recycling. Believe it or not, in Tulsa, recycling is not viewed as a necessity. Instead, it seems to carry a stigma of being superfluous, something only Birkenstock-wearing hippies do. Learn more about recycling in Tulsa and sign up to recycle your own household waste here. 

 

Riding bicycles has become more common and is celebrated by the popular downtown bar, The Sound Pony. The renovation of the city's river bike path has encouraged many Tulsans to get outside and ride their bikes as well. 

 

The overall mentality toward the environment doesn't seem to have changed much amongst Tulsans. But baby steps are being made — very important baby steps.