New conservation easement near Winslow connects important wildlife habitats and preserves a scenic section of the Ozark Mountains.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. , The Northwest Arkansas Land Trust (NWALT) has reached a significant conservation milestone, surpassing 10,000 acres of permanently protected land across Northwest Arkansas. The achievement comes with the addition of a 62-acre conservation easement in Washington County that helps connect two major areas of protected wildlife habitat.
The newly protected Patterson-Oulette property, located in the Winfrey Valley area near Winslow, features mature hardwood forests, towering sandstone bluffs, rock shelters, natural springs and a waterfall. The property is now permanently protected through a voluntary conservation easement, ensuring its natural character will be preserved for future generations.
The milestone represents years of collaboration between the nonprofit land trust, private landowners and conservation supporters working to protect the natural landscapes that define Northwest Arkansas.
“Reaching 10,000 acres protected is an extraordinary achievement, but what’s equally important is what this milestone represents,” said Marson Nance, CEO of Northwest Arkansas Land Trust. “It represents hundreds of landowners and supporters who have chosen to leave a lasting conservation legacy.”
Connecting the Ozark Landscape
While the addition of 62 acres might seem relatively small compared with the surrounding Ozark National Forest, the location of the Patterson-Oulette property makes it particularly valuable for conservation.
The property creates an important connection between the White Rock Management Area and the Ozark National Forest, helping maintain a continuous corridor of habitat for wildlife. It is also located near another NWALT-protected property along Frog Bayou.
These connections are increasingly important as development and land fragmentation place pressure on natural habitats throughout Northwest Arkansas. Maintaining forested corridors allows wildlife to move between larger protected areas while preserving the ecological health of the surrounding landscape.
The property includes sandstone bluff formations reaching heights of 65 feet, along with rock shelters, springs and a significant waterfall. In addition to providing wildlife habitat, these natural features contribute to the scenic character of the region.
For outdoor enthusiasts visiting nearby public lands, protecting these landscapes also helps preserve the forested views and natural surroundings that make the Ozarks a destination for hiking, camping, mountain biking and other outdoor activities.
The conservation easement does not necessarily create new public recreational access, but it does provide permanent protection for a landscape connected to some of the region’s most important public lands.
A Personal Commitment to Conservation
For landowner Joanie Patterson, protecting the property is about more than preserving scenic beauty. It is about ensuring wildlife has a place to thrive.
“Love of nature is in my blood and bones. Birds especially are suffering greatly due to habitat loss, and I’m overjoyed that my 62 acres connects much larger parcels where birds and other wildlife can live undisturbed,” Patterson said.
Patterson and fellow landowner Donald Oulette worked with NWALT to establish the conservation easement, contributing to the organization’s growing network of permanently protected lands.
Conservation easements are voluntary legal agreements that restrict certain types of development or land use to protect a property’s conservation values. The land typically remains privately owned, while the easement provides long-term protection regardless of future changes in ownership.
Such agreements can be particularly effective in areas where privately owned properties connect larger blocks of public land.
“We often talk about acreage, but conservation is really about protecting the places that define our region,” Nance said. “The Patterson-Oulette property is a perfect example. It protects wildlife habitat, preserves a beautiful Ozark landscape, and strengthens connections between some of Northwest Arkansas’s most important public lands.”
Protecting Natural Resources in a Growing Region
Northwest Arkansas continues to experience rapid population growth and development, increasing the importance of protecting forests, streams, wetlands and other natural resources.
Since its founding, NWALT has worked with private landowners and community partners to conserve properties that support wildlife habitat, water quality, agricultural lands and scenic landscapes.
Reaching 10,000 acres places the organization among a relatively small group of regional land trusts nationwide. According to NWALT, fewer than 20% of regionally focused land trusts reach that level of protected acreage.
For the outdoor recreation community, land conservation plays an important role in maintaining the natural resources that make Arkansas an attractive destination for outdoor adventures. Healthy forests, clean waterways and connected wildlife habitats are essential parts of the state’s outdoor identity.
Protecting land today also helps ensure that future generations will experience the same natural landscapes that draw people to the Ozarks.
The Next 10,000 Acres
Although reaching the 10,000-acre mark represents a major accomplishment, NWALT leaders say the work is far from finished.
“Ten thousand acres is not a finish line,” Nance said. “It’s a testament to what is possible when landowners, supporters, and communities work together. There are still important places to protect, and we’re committed to ensuring that future generations inherit the natural heritage that makes Northwest Arkansas special.”
The Patterson-Oulette conservation easement demonstrates how individual landowners can contribute to larger regional conservation goals. By protecting a relatively small but strategically located property, the agreement strengthens connections between existing protected lands while preserving a distinctive piece of the Ozark landscape.
As Northwest Arkansas continues to grow, partnerships between private landowners and conservation organizations will remain an important tool for balancing development with protection of the region’s natural heritage.
For the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust, 10,000 acres is both a milestone worth celebrating and a foundation for the conservation work still ahead.
About Northwest Arkansas Land Trust
The Northwest Arkansas Land Trust is an accredited nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to protecting the natural heritage of Northwest Arkansas through voluntary land conservation. The organization works with landowners and community partners to preserve wildlife habitat, water quality, agricultural lands, scenic landscapes and other important natural resources.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens, thank you for supporting our work!