July 13, 2011 - Representatives from Audubon Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas Land Trust, and the Haynes-Audubon Charitable Trust announced today that the largest wetland prairie in Fayetteville, known as Wilson Springs, will come under ownership of the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust. Formerly owned by the Haynes-Audubon Charitable Trust, with restoration activities being managed by Audubon Arkansas, the remnant prairie and the important aquatic habitat there will now be protected in perpetuity as a donation to the NW Arkansas Land Trust.
Ellen Fennell, State Director of Audubon Arkansas, said, “This is the best outcome for conservation of this significant prairie in the heart of Fayetteville. In the last few years, Audubon has been raising funds to help manage the site, as well as to support activities to help people understand prairies and the species they harbor. Audubon looks forward to working with Northwest Arkansas Land Trust to steward Wilson Springs, so that this unique property is preserved for the benefit of wildlife and people for years to come.”
“This is the largest conservation property in Fayetteville. The goal of the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust for this property is to ensure that the important ecological, historical, educational, and recreational values are maintained appropriately into the future. The Wilson Springs property is a great fit for the mission of our organization,” said Tim Snell, Board member for the Land Trust and Associate State Director for The Nature Conservancy.
Wilson Springs, located southwest of Sam’s Club in Fayetteville, is among the last remaining tallgrass prairies and perennial wetlands in Northwest Arkansas. Located in an urban matrix of residential and commercial areas, the site retains several important ecological indicators of its former pristine state. Over the last few years, Audubon Arkansas has been working to restore the prairie, as well as to provide educational opportunities there for the Northwest Arkansas community. Over the last year, over 600 volunteer hours have been generated in management planning, restoration events, and clean-up activities.
Audubon Arkansas envisions a state where the love and respect for nature is a cultural legacy, and communities are engaged in responsible stewardship, protecting and conserving our native environment for future generations. Audubon Arkansas’s mission is to inspire and lead environmental education, resource management, habitat restoration, bird conservation and enlightened advocacy. For more information, visit ar.audubon.org.
The Northwest Arkansas Land Trust is dedicated to the conservation and responsible use of land and water in Benton, Carroll, Madison, and Washington counties. The primary purpose of the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust is to provide a vehicle for donors and landowners to ensure that specified land is used and maintained in perpetuity for agricultural, ecological, historic, recreational, and scenic purposes. For more information, visit www.nwalandtrust.org.