The Nature Conservancy in Arkansas

06/02/2026

June 2 is National Mississippi River Day!

Traversing 31 states, the Mississippi River and its tributaries nourish crops, transport goods, provide recreation and sustain robust fisheries. The river system brings food, fresh water, jobs and economic security to millions of Americans.

That’s why The Nature Conservancy takes a system wide approach to restoring the Mississippi River. Learn more at: https://nature.ly/4fgm3zT

06/02/2026

Thank you to the Little Rock Roadrunners Club for the generous $1,400 donation from the Trails & Tacos event! Support like this helps us care for special places across the state, so that communities can enjoy outdoor recreation close to home.

We appreciate everyone who participated, donated, and showed their love for Arkansas’s natural spaces.

Yesterday, we presented a check to The Nature Conservancy in Arkansas for $1,400 which represents a portion of the proceeds raised from our Trails & Tacos event! The Nature Conservancy manages many natural areas throughout our state, including the Blue Mountain Trails, Rattlesnake Ridge, and Ranch North Woods in West Little Rock. We are grateful for their work in these areas that allow us opportunities for outdoor recreation close to home. Thank you to everyone who attended our event and donated to our fundraiser!

Pictured: Caleb Pierce and Caroline Brown with TNC, along with LRRC President Nicole Hobbs, LRRC board member Jeremy Swearingen, and TNC state director Roger Mangham

05/22/2026

About 30 folks got out into the Ozark National Forest for a field trip this week with TNC staff member McRee Anderson and the Interior Highlands Collaborative to check out shortleaf pine and oak woodlands. Lots of good conversation and boots-on-the-ground learning, with support from the Fire Learning Network.

📷 McRee Anderson

05/20/2026

TNC Arkansas staff recently accompanied Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (ANHC), at Pine City Natural Area to complete nesting checks for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Pine City has the only remaining population of Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (RCWs) in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain of Arkansas and contains genetically distinct loblolly pine.

The purpose of the trip was to assist with monitoring the population and banding young nestlings. TNC staff learned how to identify active cavity trees, locate nests, and use “peepers” to safely check for eggs. They also learned climbing techniques, nestling extraction, data collection, and banding. *All birds were handled with federal and state permits and training.*

ANHC staff use artificial cavity inserts to provide nesting habitat as trees mature, though RCWs will create natural cavities when suitable trees are available. Cavities are a limiting factor for the species, as this process can take months or even years. TNC staff helped find two natural nests as clusters—one 46 feet up in a tree! This is great news, as it shows the forest structure is improving greatly to allow birds to utilize trees on their own

TNC and ANHC have worked together for decades to protect this population through prescribed fire, which is essential for RCW nesting and foraging habitat. Regular fire reduces midstory growth, promotes native vegetation, and helps cavity trees reach appropriate size.

Being able to see the outcome of our intensive habitat management in the form of successfully nesting RCWs was a rewarding experience, and we are excited to keep partnering with ANHC to conserve this species here in the Natural State!

Written by Maia Larson and Jess Novobilsky | 📷 by Maia Larson, Ruth Campos, and Jess Novobilsky

05/19/2026

We had an incredible time out on Bayou DeView last week. Beautiful weather, scenic views, and a meaningful look at conservation in action.

Max Woodfin and his family joined some TNC staff for a float trip, creating a great opportunity to experience the landscape together and see the impact of restoration efforts firsthand. During the trip, the group visited the Woodfin Family’s 125-acre property, which was restored in February 2024 through the Floodplain Reforestation Program. As the first property enrolled in the program, it represents an important milestone and is already showing the potential of reforesting floodplain habitat to support wildlife, improve water and air quality, and strengthen the landscape.

Learn more about the Floodplain Reforestation Program at https://nature.ly/42PlJAv

📷 Sandi Rose

05/14/2026

At a recent Rotary Club of Jonesboro meeting, TNC’s Blake Caldarera shared how nature-based solutions like improved drainage design can protect water quality, support wildlife and reduce costs.

With aging infrastructure and increasing runoff impacting the region, these approaches offer a smarter path forward for both farmers and communities.

👉 Read the full story to learn more:

JONESBORO — Blake Caldarera spoke to Rotary Club of Jonesboro members Tuesday noon about environmental challenges facing northeast Arkansas and how nature-based solutions can help protect both communities and ecosystems.

05/12/2026

On May 1, TNC Arkansas staff member Chas McCoy traveled to St. Louis to pick up to pick up 240 free, 3-gallon potted trees and shrubs from Forest ReLeaf of Missouri's of Project CommuniTree nursery—bringing them back to restore the Mulberry River near Oark, Arkansas.

By May 6, TNC and U.S. Forest Service staff planted about 120 of those trees along the river, expanding the riparian buffer to stabilize streambanks, filter runoff, and keep waters cool. Huge thanks to Forest ReLeaf for making this effort possible!

This work is part of a broader effort with the U.S. Forest Service and National Forest Foundation to stabilize several hundred feet of eroding streambank using engineered rock and wood structures. By restoring a healthy riparian forest, we can also prevent erosion before it starts and reduce the need for costly repairs.

📷 Chas McCoy

05/11/2026

ICYMI: Big conservation wins are happening across Arkansas and we’re excited to share them!

💧 2,000 acres added to Bluffton Preserve
🦇 A remarkable rebound in endangered bat populations
🚜 Smart water-saving solutions for farmers
🌲 Ongoing restoration of forests, prairies, and wildlife habitat

Read about all these in our Spring 2026 Report:

See how stewardship efforts continue to protect Arkansas’ most important natural places.

05/08/2026

Bird migration season is in full swing, and it's looking like an excellent weekend for migratory bird movement!

Take a look at the migration intensity projected by BirdCast for the next three nights. More than 300 million birds are predicted to migrate across the U.S. each night this weekend!

https://birdcast.info/migration-tools/live-migration-maps/

05/07/2026

10 Years of Shortleaf Pine Restoration in Arkansas 🌲

Big wins for Arkansas forests! Over the past decade, The Nature Conservancy and partners, alongside private landowners, have restored or enhanced 1.58+ million acres of shortleaf pine forests across the state.

Once in decline due to fire suppression and limited management, shortleaf pine ecosystems are making a strong comeback. These efforts are helping rebuild wildlife habitat, strengthen forest health, and improve resilience to wildfire and extreme weather.

Read more in this story by Saline River News:

The Nature Conservancy, with partners and private landowners celebrate restoring Shortleaf Pine Forests