Northwest Arkansas Land Trust

Land conservation: the organization worked with private landowners and partners to permanently protect an additional 852.5 acres of priority conservation lands in Northwest Arkansas. These lands benefit the public and future generations by protecting clean water, wildlife habitat, places to enjoy nature, scenic views, cultural sites, local food and farmland, and climate resiliency.

Community: engaged with local and state conservation partners, municipalities, and civic organizations to discuss topics such as watershed protection and Land use, hosted a corporate volunteer cleanup event on an nwalt preserve, hosted children and adult educational outings in the outdoor classroom, and participated in regional citizen science events. Hosted children and adult educational outings on nwalt public access preserves,collaborated with local conservation partners to engage public on water quailty protection strategies.

Land stewardship:the organization staff monitored all lands conserved by the Land Trust, implemented Land management plans on fee owned preserves, restored habitat for species of greatest conservation need, maintained and enhanced public access on appropriate sites adding new boardwalks, bridges, and interpretve signs and provided valuable field experience to Land stewardship interns. Staff implemented new habitat management and restoration techniques on nwalt preserves including prescribed fire, conducted botanical surveys on new properties, began restoration of a bird sanctuary, and began the removal of more than 400 illegally dumped tires on a preserve.

The organization has been accredited by the Land Trust accreditation commission since february 2015 and achieved 5-year reaccreditation in 2020. This important recognition independently confirms that the organization operates according to the highest standards in Land conservation and nonprofit management. In particular, it assures that the organization fulfills its responsibility to conserve its Land and conservation easements in perpetuity.