Conserving for Future Generations

Arkansas

2018 year-end report What You Made Possible This Year 9 new 8 unpaved acquisitions roads totalling BMP 1,304 acres projects 3 1 new trails new floating 4,252 camping acres of platform trees planted 77 59 cave 2,000 prescribed surveying acres enrolled in burns on trips wetland easements 11,831 acres

Board of Trustees Welcome New Leaving a Legacy Chair Robin McClendon, Monticello Legacy Club Members Vice Chair Is Easy and Hugh McDonald, Little Rock Secretary Members of the Legacy Club have made Rewarding Belinda Shults, Little Rock a lasting commitment to conservation Treasurer A bequest Ritter Arnold, Marked Tree through a life-income gift or by naming The Nature Conservancy in their estate plans. is one ofe th Fred Berry, Yellville simplest ways John Chamberlin, Little Rock Our deepest thanks to the 199 friends who Michael Clark, Bentonville belong to the Legacy Club in Arkansas, in- to protect Mary Elizabeth Eldridge, Fayetteville cluding these new members or members the lands and John Fletcher, Little Rock waters you Kevin Igli, Springdale who have made additional gift intentions: Lisenne Rockefeller, Little Rock care about. Ann Rosso, Fayetteville Anonymous Belinda Shults You can eas- Mark Saviers, Little Rock Jennifer Barnhouse Scott and Angela ily name the Tom Schueck, Little Rock Conservancy as Susan Borné Craig Shackelford, Montrose Ron Barron Simon Baxter Sharp, Brinkley John D. Berger William D. “Bill” a beneficiary of your will, trust, JD Simpson, Little Rock Susan and Robin Stanley retirement plan, life insurance David Snowden, Jr., Little Rock Borné policy or financial accounts. Witt Stephens, Jr., Little Rock Matured Bequests Anyone can make a bequest and Dhu Thompson, Little Rock Leonard Crane Breckenridge Gus Vratsinas, Little Rock Raeburn Hughes no amount is too small. Dr. Becky Wheeler, Little Rock Campbell Glenn Jones Gay White, Little Rock Robert G. For more information, contact Brent Whittington, Little Rock Sherry Lewis Clearwater Elvon C. Lloyd Susan Borné: (501) 614-5071 Director Daniel C. Fetherolf or [email protected] or visit Scott Simon, Little Rock Martha McKay Ruth Ann Racely nature.org/gift-planning. n Kendra Roesner Earl Stanek Cover photo by Michael Baxley Photography Ann Rosso Caroline Triplett

2 On the cover Rattlesnake Ridge Natural Area

The Maumelle Pinnacles and surrounding rivers in are a landscape of grand, exposed sandstone ridges towering above sweeping oak and pine woodlands and broad river valleys. In addition to spec- tacular views, they house a re- markable range of habitats and species as well as provide clean drinking water to 600,000 peo- ple via Lake Maumelle. Thanks to an anonymous private donor, com mitted partners, a generous landowner, and your sustaining support, a new public Natural Rattlesnake Ridge Natural Area has something for everyone. Area safeguards these treasures. Commission, a division of the Welcome to Rattlesnake Ridge Department of Arkansas Natural Area. Heritage, the natural area con- Rattlesnake Ridge is a place sists of 373 beautiful acres of ma- for rugged adventure. Co-owned ture woodland, rock outcrops, between the Conservancy and and steep valleys. Hike to the the Arkansas Natural Heritage top and you are rewarded with panoramic views of Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Lake What’s in a Name? Maumelle, Pinnacle Valley, and the Ouachita National Forest. This spot has been known There are opportunities for for generations as mountain bikers and rock Rattlesnake Ridge. The climbers, and fishing. Nowlin name is appropriate for Creek flows through the prop- two reasons: rocky out- erty to Pinnacle Mountain crops form a distinctive, State Park. snakelike ridgeline, and it Rattlesnake Ridge Natural is the farthest east that Area is best described by long- western diamondback time Conservancy member Lee rattlesnakes are found. n Bodenhamer, whose family sold 3 the property to the Conservancy at a generous discount. “The Special Species Pinnacles are a rare treasure. I loved this place instantly when I Species of Conservation started looking for land 27 years concern at Rattlesnake ago. It has given me a place of Ridge Natural Area:

reprieve and a way to instill in s Arkansas twistflower

my family a love and respect for s Southeastern bat the land. I would like to see s Western diamondback these mountains and rivers re- rattlesnake main natural for the benefit of s Wright’s cliffbrake fern all Arkansans.” With all of us working together, Rattlesnake Ridge can remain healthy and areas that provide visitors with wild for generations to come. an uncrowded nature experi- Over the next year, with ence. The area will also show- your support, we will work with case important land manage- partners and neighbors to re- ment activities like prescribed place existing roads with trails fire. Thank you for helping

and to create rock climbing conserve this special place! n Bucket Brigade to the Rescue Ann Rosso Leaves Her Legacy

Ann Rosso’s family made the generous donation of land that established Rattlesnake Ridge Natural Area. Working through that project with her three Volunteers worked together to successfully transfer yellowcheek darters to their new home. brothers, her children, and her father, Lee Bodenhamer, made her think about the For several years, we have been future of conservation in a new light. The restoring stretches of the Little thoughtfulness of the planning, culminat- Red River’s upper forks that are ing in the dedication of the property to the only known home of the en- the public in May, gave Ann insig ht into dangered yellowcheek darter. what a lasting gift could look like and how Last summer, we were set to many people could benefit from it. start on a section of the South friends at the U.S. Fish and This inspired Ann to join the Legacy Fork that suffers from severe Wildlife Service and other part- Club with a bequest gift. “I wanted to do erosion, when a pre-construc- ners helped us catch and relo- my part to make sure the Natural State tion survey found the species cate about 75 darters to calmer stays natural for future generations,” she where we intended to dig. It waters nearby. The restoration said. Many thanks to Ann and all Legacy was confirmation that we were is almost complete, thanks to Club members for planning for a better working in the right place, but supportive partners, caring tomorrow. n we had to kee p the fish safe landowners, and generous

while repairing their home. Our friends like you. n 4 Happy Rivers

A Long-Awaited Rockhouse Revival

On Rockhouse Creek, a tributary of the Kings River in , decades of human changes to the landscape have taken their toll. One 1.5- mile stretch with eroding creekbanks is dumping 10,000 tons of sediment into the Kings each year. Meanwhile, people living on Rockhouse Road have endured life-threatening delays in emergency response because the low-water crossing over the creek is often flooded and impassable. Nadara and Wayne Williams lived on 550 acres along this section of Rockhouse Creek. With a desire to help the creek and see their serenely beautiful property conserved, Work to heal the creekbanks along Rockhouse Creek will begin this winter. the Williamses sold it to the Conservancy at a deep discount. The property connects conservation,” said Watershed A grant from Acres for more than 20,000 acres of pro- Restoration Program Director America, a program of Walmart tected lands in the Madison John Chapman. “We are just and the National Fish and County Wildlife Management getting started.” Wildlife Foundation, helped Area, Bear Hollow Natural If you would like to learn with the purchase of what will Area, the Ozark Natural more about how you can help, be the first Arkansas Heritage Scienc e Center, and the contact Jennifer Barnhouse, S tream Partnership project. Conservancy’s Kings River Director of Philanthropy, at Now thanks to you and Preserve, creating the potential (501) 614-5091 or

some generous neighbors, we for new recreational opportuni- [email protected]. n are on our way to installing a ties in northwest Arkansas and better, safer bridge, healing the a healthier Kings River. creekbanks, and stopping the “There is so much potential erosion. Fish migration will also here for promoting best be vastly improved by removing practices in river care and for the old crossing. involving people in hands-on 5 Restoring Habitat Here and Around the World

Quail Habitat on the Rise With your help, the Conservancy and our partners are restoring quail habitat in the cen- tral sandhills of southwest Arkansas. (And statewide, our partners burned more than 340,000 acres this year.) Your support helped increase pre- scribed burning on Conservancy preserves, Poison Springs State Fire profession- Forest, state natural areas, als from and state parks in the Colombia and More Benefits Zambia visiting sandhills from 300 acres a Arkansas. few years ago to 3,000 from Prescribed Fire acres this year. That’s this landscape that, along with great news for quail and Since 2012, the Conservancy’s surrounding private lands, other animals that depend Arkansas fire team has culti- burns every year. The managers on healthy, diverse plant

vated an annual exchange pro- then came to Arkansas to work life for food and shelter. n gram with land managers in alongside our burn crew, tour Zambia to promote best prac- the state’s national forests, and tices in prescribed fire. Word meet with conservation leaders spread about the success of the to learn more about successful exchange, sparking a similar re- fire management in protected lationship with Colombia. areas. Now a new exchange pro- Thanks to your support this gram with Nigeria is taking year Arkansas fire professionals shape. Thank you for support- visited the new 180,000-acre ing internati onal cooperation Manacacias National Park and that leads to better conserva- helped park managers develop a tion practices at home and

comprehensive fire strategy for around the world. n

Good Fire Healing the Waterways of the Delta

Your Support Benson Creek restored to its Feeds a Nation natural mean- dering channel The and floodplain. quenches our thirst, nourishes our crops, powers our homes, and transports the goods we need. It provides critical wildlife habitat and sustains robust fish- eries, which bring food, jobs, and economic security to millions of people. The Conservancy and partners share a bold vision to sustain the entire Mississippi River Basin from its headwaters to the . It is one of our most ambitious undertak- Wildlife Foundation and the natural, meandering channel ings. The annual reforestation of Drainage District, and floodplain, and redirecting thousands of acres and the and innovative irrigation tech- the water into the new channel. stream restorations you are help- nologies from Delta Plastics, Inc., As all restorations do, this one ing make possible here in the project has begun, adding a faced its share of challenges, Arkansas feed directly into it. new tool to help achieve flood- from heavy spring rains to very plain restoration and clean water. active beavers. But in the end, Innovative thanks to you, the area was re- Conservation Back at Benson Creek stored. The waters are clearing Farmers in the upper Cache River Benson Creek was the as the floodplain traps sedi- watershed were having problems Conservancy’s first ditch-to- ment. Bluegill and largemouth with eroding ditches, and they stream restoration in the bass are using the creek again. were looking for solutions. Arkansas Delta, made possible Ducks circle above. The Arkansas Farm Bureau by generous members years ago. Thank you for making it connected the Conservancy With your help, more of possible. n with the la ndowners, and after Benson Creek has been re- some evaluation, we decided to stored as part of a five-year col- build two-stage ditches. These laboration with the Arkansas are ditches with an extra shelf Natural Heritage Commission that forms a mini-floodplain and U.S. Fish and Wildlife within the water channel. The Service to improve water qual- modified ditches function as ity and wildlife habitat. wetlands during the winter— Benson Creek is part of an great for waterfowl—and they extensive system of waterways catch sediment and nutrient connecting to Bayou DeView runoff from farm fields, keeping and the Cache River. Our first them out of the water. project under the new partner- With your support, grants ship involved plugging the Two-stage ditches, like this one, create mini-floodplains from the National Fish and ditched creek, reconstructing its within the channel. 7 Give yourself Spend the Day or Night with Us and the planet People are at the heart of conser- If large cabins aren’t your thing, DeView (near Cotton Plant) some peace of vation! The Conservancy is com- check in with Ernie Killman at might be your new favorite mind on your mitted to providing more oppor- Kings River Outfitters. He has a spots. Only accessible by canoe tunities for you and others to variety of cabins to rent, plus he or kayak, the floating platforms next getaway. explore the places you make pos- can set you up to fish or paddle are just big enough for a couple sible and connect with nature. the best spots on the Kings River. of people to sleep beneath the We invite you Give yourself and the planet stars. To reserve your spot visit to visit one of some peace of mind on your next ArkansasWaterTrails.com. getaway. We invite you to visit these spots and one of these spots and support conservation while you escape! support conservation while you escape! Bluffton Preserve If a tent is more your speed, primitive camping along the Hike Electric Island Kings River banks of the Archey Fork of the Thanks to the Arkansas Game The modern rustic Deck House Little Red River near Clinton is and Fish Commission, there is a near Eureka Springs sleep s up a great way to spend a night or new two-mile trail to explore to 20 people and is perfect for a two. Enjoy floating and hiking on Lake Hamilton. A gift to the family reunion, business retreat, among b eautiful bluffs! Spots Conservancy from Entergy in or long weekend with friends. are first come, first served. As th e early 1980s, Electric Island With panoramic views of the always, we ask that you have fun is a quick paddle from the Kings River, a trail behind the but leave no trace. For direc- Andrew Hulsey Fish Hatchery house, and the river only min- tions, visit Places We Protect at and a great place to experience utes away, adventure awaits. nature.org/arkansas. nature all year long. Reservations at KingsRiverDeckHouse.org. Rattlesnake Ridge Natural Area This newly conserved slice of nature near Little Rock’s Pinnacle Mountain came with a house that we’re sprucing up for vacation rentals. We hope to be hosting guests by summer 2019, Nestled along Rockhouse Creek Camping Platforms so watch nature.org/arkansas near the Kings River is a charm- for updates. In the meantime, If you want to take camping to ing log home, Whispering Wings, the natural area is open for day the next level, the platform at that sleeps 17 of your closest use. Directions at nd off the the William Kirsch Preserve friends. Comfortable a NaturalHeritage.com. beaten path, it is the perfect within Ranch North Woods n Ozark escape. Reservations at (Little Rock) and the Cohen RockhouseCreekPreserve.org. Family platform at Bayou 8 Donor Profile We applaud everyone out there who is taking time to share your love of nature with those around you. You are making a Paul and Melanie Norris working hard to build more trails. difference!

Volunteers Hank Browne with his grandsons Rory and True. Extraordinaire Generations of Conservation Volunteers Paul and Melanie leader in engaging young Norris with Central Arkansas With the Brownes, conser- professionals in the Trails Alliance work tirelessly to vation is a family affair. As Conservancy’s mission. And provide new outdoor experiences members of the Conser - with two boys of her own, she for Arkansans. The Conservancy vancy’s Last Great Places continues her family’s legacy has been the beneficiary of their Society, Hank, a former by connecting them with na- trail building talents at half a trustee, and his wife, Cathy, ture. Soon her dedication will dozen preserves, including have championed conserva- extend to other youngsters, Bluffton Preserve and the Kings tion in many ways over the too. Mary’s ideas, coupled River Deck House. If you see years. Generous financial sup- with start-up funding from them out working, or if you enjoy port, land donations, and gifts th e Browne family and other one of the trails they’ve helped of their time and talents have visionary donors, are behind build, be sure to thank them! We advanced the Conservancy’s a new youth engagement ef- are grateful for all the dedicated work across the state, includ- fort that will take shape at volunteers who give so gener- ing the Delta, where they call the Conservancy in the com- ously of their time and services home. Perhaps their greatest ing year. Stay tuned! contribution is passing their We applaud everyone out to the Conservancy’s mission. n love of the outdoors down to there who is taking time to the next generations. share your love of nature with Hank’s daughter, Mary those around you. You are

Browne Allen, has been a making a difference! n

Members of the Last Great Places Society make gifts of $10,000 or more annually to advance our mission and protect the natural world that inspires us all. To learn more, please contact Jennifer Barnhouse, Director of Philanthropy, at (501) 614-5091 or [email protected]. n

9 Every gift you You Are Our Conservation Hero! make is a victory for the Thank You for helping Arkansas’ land, waters and wildlife thrive! (Gifts received July 1, 2017–June 30, 2018) lands and

waters on Last Great Places Society Rev. & Mrs. Christoph Keller, III Nature Guardians $100,000+ Robin McClendon & Tom Wingard $5,000–9,999 which all life Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Hugh T. McDonald Anonymous (2) Robyn & John Horn Murphy Foundation Mr. & Mrs. James Bibler depends. While Walton Family Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Don Nelms Dr. Brenda M. Booth Windgate Charitable Foundation Lisenne Rockefeller Nancy E. Dickins we can’t list The Ross Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Greg Feltus $50,000–$99,999 Vicki & Mark Saviers Mr. & Mrs. John P. Fletcher everyone, we Mr. & Mrs. Hank Browne Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Schueck Emmabell C. Herak Todd & Glenda Dannenfelser Belinda H. Shults Jerome & Harriet Jansma celebrate each The David Snowden Family Mr. & Mrs. James D. Simpson, III Mr. & Mrs. Emon Mahony, Jr. Smith Holloway Patton Elise Roenigk $10,000–$49,999 Foundation/Mr. & Mrs. William and every Mr. & Mrs. Robert Allen The Margaretha and John L. Sauer Patton, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Ritter Arnold Foundat ion Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable generous BAPS Charities, Inc. Thomas L. Scott Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Margaret A. Bartelt Mr. & Mrs. Craig Shackelford Trustee donor—YOU are Beaver Watershed Alliance J. Baxter Sharp, III Mr. & Mrs. Dhu Thompson Fred A. Berry Rebecca Slaven Irene & Gus Vratsinas the driving Mr. & Mrs. Richard W. Booth Mr. & Mrs. Jim Walton The Rob & Melani Walton Mr. & Mrs. John Chamberlin Mr. & Mrs. Brent Whittington Foundation force behind Mr. & Mrs. Michael Clark Drs. Becky & Gary Wheeler Mr. & Mrs. George Davis conservation. Corporate Council for Conservation

Visionaries Friends Maxwell Hardwood Flooring $50,000+ $1,000–$4,999 Mountaire Corporation Southwestern Energy Company Arkansocks, Inc. Pack Rat Outdoor Center Tarco, Inc. AT&T, Inc. Potlatch Corporation Bank of Little Rock Price Services, Inc. Catalysts C.B. Foundation/Crow-Burlingame Riggs Benevolent Fund $25,000–$49,999 Bumper-to-Bumper Auto Parts Shell Oil Comp any Foundation Delta Plastics of the South, LLC Stores Southwest Power Pool Windstream Communications Calion Lumber Company Cedar Crest Lodge and Cabin/ In-Kind Hank’s Furniture, Inc. Leaders Den & Sheilah Roenfeldt Ozark Ecological Restorations, Inc. $10,000–$24,999 Deloitte Tax LLP Cooper Communities, Inc. Rebsamen Investments Limited Domtar Industries Inc. Simmons Foods, Inc. Partnership Dover Dixon Horne PLLC Protectors Entegrity $5,000–$9,999 Evergreen Packaging Eastern National Flake & Kelley Commercial Mahco, Inc. FTN Associates Ltd. Moots Cycles Green Bay Packaging, Inc. Pratt & Whitney Harness Roofing, Inc. 10 Conservation Partners Munro Foundation $1,000–4,999 Justice David & Carolyn Newbern Drs. Lee Abel & Eleanor Kennedy Dr. Terrence A. Oddson Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Allen Geoff & Leslie Oelsner John & Ruth Andre Dr. & Mrs. James Pappas Drs. Tracy & Kathy Baltz Curt & Susan Patton Mr. & Mrs. Michael Barrier Dan & Sandy Phillips Hank Bates & Barbara Miles Joan C. Rabjohn Steven D. Blumreich Z. Reeder Patrick M. Bourke Beverly J. Reeves Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Brown Dr. & Mrs. Robert Richardson C. Louis & Mary C. Cabe Foundation David & Caron Roberts Patricia Stovall Canada Dr. & Mrs. Porter Rodgers, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Dabbs Cavin Natalie C. Sanderson Helena L. Chum Kathy Sauer James B. Conner Karen S. Seale, M.D. Carolyn & Scott Crook Bill B. Sigler Mr. & Mrs. Mark Davis Dr. Mark O. Simon Peter S. Du pre Scott & Angela Simon Mr. & Mrs. Kyle Evans Dr. & Mrs. L. Gene Singleton Jose Pedro Figueira W. David Slaymaker Mr. & Mrs. Curtis Finch, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. David Snowden, Sr. Judy W. Fletcher Spencer Family Louise & Joe Fox Bill & Dana Steward Dr. Deborah K. Fulbright Steve Strauss Mr. & Mrs. John Gill Susan F. Strauss Farewell to a Charles Glasier Jim & Libby Strawn Dr. & Mrs. David Grambort John Sturgis Lifelong Thomas K. Heau Kay Suen, D.V.M. Dr. & Mrs. John Henderson Drs. Charles & Jan Sullivan Conservationist Dr. Morriss and Ann Henry Dr. Barbara Taylor & Forrest Goddard Clarice Hunter Dr. & Mrs. Barry Tedder Friends and former colleagues mourned Ben & Walter Hussman Elizabeth K. Terry the passing of Lance Peacock in September. Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Igli Tony & Audra Thomas Mr. & Mrs. Randall Thompson Lance joined the Conservancy’s Arkansas W. F. James staff (all four of them) in 1983 as the sole JenByRo Charitable Fund/Arkansas Richard L. Thompson Community Foundation Bert Turner scientist. A master birder, he was a leader in Jim & Ellen Kane Bronson & Mary Lynn Van Wyck early acquisitions that conserved critical Mr. & Mrs. Drew Kelso Gay White bird habitat along the Mississippi Flyway Kevin & Dr. Elicia Kennedy Theodore E. Williams migration corridor. He retired in 2006 as Mr. & Mrs. Robert Lanford Kirk N. Wilson Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Yaffe Director of Science and Stewardship, hav- Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Lyon ing built a robust statewide conservation William & Sabra Martin Darlene W. Yohe James & Letitia Maye program and added volumes to our knowl- Dr. & Mrs. Jay McDonald In-Kind Gifts edge of Arkansas’ unique plant and animal Mr. & Mrs. John David McFarland, III Anonymous communities. H. Chap McGaughy Bank of the , Clinton Lance’s legacy lives on in the places he Roberta A. Mittelstaedt Mr. & Mrs. Hank Browne helped protect and the conservationists Mr. & Mrs. Don Munro Patrick Couch Cindy DeClerk he inspired. Many thanks to everyone Dr. G. O. Graening who has made gifts in his memory. JH Land, Inc. Lorance Creek Natural Area was one of Lost Forty Brewing his favorite places; we encourage you take Phillips Family Living Trust a stroll along the boardwalk, listen for Riggs CAT birds, and think of Lance. Dr. John Simpson n

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