Grady, representing the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust, described this past spring as an extraordinary season of stewardship, driven by the ground-level work of protecting the region’s natural arteries. Because of local belief in this mission, the organization facilitated the protection of strategic properties that will safeguard water quality, wildlife habitat, and the character of the Ozarks for years to come. Ground-level metrics show the impact. In the foothills of the western highlands, the Mowry family partnered with the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust to protect 30 acres of high-conservation-value land along War Eagle Creek. The terrain here is heavy with history and lived history—it’s a stretch of land where the water feels close to the surface, shading the floor with dense canopy and supporting species that rely on the creek’s flow. That commitment earned the Mowry family a leading role in regional conservation. They were named the Beaver Watershed Alliance War Eagle Creek Stewards of the Year, an honor that reflects a hands-on approach to conservation that goes beyond paperwork. It speaks to a partnership where the Mowrys put skin in the game, literally, through the dedication of their property. The pulse of this effort extends to the ground beneath our feet in communities like Goshen. In a win that affects daily neighborhood life, the City of Goshen is expanding Mill Branch Park. With the help of the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust and generous land donations, the park is growing by approximately 50 percent. That’s 50 new acres of open space—a patchwork of fields and trails where dogs can run off-leash and locals can sit on a picnic table and look at the blue sky without obstruction. It’s conservation that arrives at your door. Protecting these spaces requires more than good intentions; it requires capital and community. Grady emphasizes that these successes are not self-sustaining. **How to help preserve this work:** * **Donation:** The Northwest Arkansas Land Trust relies on property donations and financial support to keep the pace of conservation steady. Donations help cover the legal fees and monitoring costs that ensure conservation easements remain secure. * **Volunteer:** Site stewards are needed to help keep trails clear and protect the natural systems within local preserves. * **Ownership:** If you own rural land in Northwest Arkansas and are interested in passing it down to the next generation tax-efficiently while protecting it from development, the organization offers education on conservation easements. **Contact the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust** to learn how you can help hold the line on open space in Northwest Arkansas. Read the full letter from Grady.
Source: NWA Land Trust
