The Northwest Arkansas Land Trust is entering 2026 with nearly 1,600 acres of new conservation projects underway, a spring monitoring season already more than 80% complete, and a newly protected 30-acre property in Washington County that its owners say will never be divided or developed.
The organization, which has permanently protected more than 9,600 acres across the region, announced the conservation of the Mowry Property near Highway 412 along Stone Road in Washington County through a donated conservation easement. The land sits within the War Eagle watershed and the Beaver Lake source water protection area, making its preservation significant not only for wildlife but for the drinking water supply of communities across Northwest Arkansas.
What Is a Conservation Easement?
A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust that permanently limits development on a property while keeping it in private ownership. The Northwest Arkansas Land Trust holds and monitors these agreements in perpetuity, ensuring the land’s natural, agricultural or scenic values are protected forever. The Mowry Property was donated as a conservation easement, meaning the family chose to give up development rights to protect the land for future generations at no cost to the public.
The Mowry Property includes more than 1,100 feet of a recognized stream, along with ponds, natural springs, forested ridgelines, bottomland hardwoods and karst features such as caves. It provides potential habitat for several federally listed bat species. Because the property sits within the Beaver Lake source water protection area, its conservation directly benefits communities that rely on Beaver Lake for clean drinking water. Stewardship funding has been secured through the Beaver Water District to ensure the property is monitored in perpetuity.
“Thank you NWA Land Trust. From today forward our beautiful 30 acres will be forever protected by this easement. I can sleep soundly knowing that this land will never be divided or developed,” the Mowry family said in a statement released by the organization.
Spring Monitoring: How the Land Trust Keeps Its Promise
Each spring, NWALT staff fan out across Northwest Arkansas to visit every conservation easement and preserve under the organization’s care. The visits verify that the terms of each agreement remain in effect and allow staff to assess ecological health, document seasonal changes, identify invasive species and build relationships with landowners. This annual monitoring process is a requirement of national land trust accreditation and a legal obligation the organization takes seriously.
This year, Stewardship Coordinator Brittney Booth and Stewardship Intern Mabrie Baldwin have already covered more than 6,300 acres across Northwest Arkansas, completing more than 80% of all required monitoring for the year.
“I feel grateful every time I step onto a property we’ve helped protect,” Booth said. “Knowing these forests, farms, and waterways will always have a place in Northwest Arkansas, that’s what keeps me going. Monitoring is how we honor that commitment.”
NWALT Sets Sights on 15,000 Acres
Executive Director Grady Spann said the new year represents both a milestone and a mandate for the organization. NWALT is currently advancing 19 active conservation projects representing 1,558 acres, work that will push the land trust past its 10,000-acre milestone and toward a new goal of permanently protecting 15,000 acres for future generations.
“Together, we’re protecting the landscapes that define our region, the forests, habitats, farms, waterways, outdoor recreation, and wild places that make Northwest Arkansas home,” Spann said in a message to supporters this month.
Northwest Arkansas is one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the United States. Regional planners estimate the area loses approximately nine acres of open space to development every day, making land conservation organizations like NWALT increasingly critical to preserving water quality, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation access.
Upcoming Conservation Events in Northwest Arkansas
Spann said 2026 will also be a year focused on community connection, with the organization expanding volunteer and learning opportunities. Upcoming events include:
- April 9: NWA Gives Day film screening, celebrating landowner generosity and the stories behind protected lands across Northwest Arkansas.
- April 18: Cleanup at Lake Frances, held in partnership with the Illinois River Watershed Partnership to highlight the importance of the Illinois River and its watershed to the region.
- April 25: Morning on the Land, an immersive experience at one of the land trust’s nature preserves designed for anyone wanting to deepen their connection to conservation.
- June 6: War Eagle Appreciation Day, a community celebration of the War Eagle River, its history and the ongoing effort to protect it.
“What kind of land legacy do you want to leave for others to enjoy?” Spann said. “Mark your calendars, bring a friend, and join us in the places that make this region extraordinary.”
How to Support Land Conservation in Northwest Arkansas: Adopt a Preserve
The land trust is also promoting its Adopt a Preserve program, which allows individuals and local businesses to sponsor one of the organization’s six publicly accessible nature preserves.
Sponsorships help fund trail maintenance, updated signage, habitat management and public access. Individuals can honor a loved one through an adoption, while local businesses can demonstrate a tangible commitment to conservation and quality of life in Northwest Arkansas. No maintenance duties are required of sponsors.
NWALT’s publicly accessible preserves include Kessler Mountain Reserve in Fayetteville, Betty Hinshaw Bird Sanctuary in Tontitown and Flint Creek Headwaters Preserve, among others. The preserves host hikers, cyclists and birders throughout the year and serve more than 1,900 students annually through outdoor education programming.
About the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust
The Northwest Arkansas Land Trust is the only locally based, accredited land trust serving the Northwest Arkansas region. The organization works across 13 counties with a core focus on Benton, Washington, Madison and Carroll counties. NWALT holds conservation easements on working farms, wildlife corridors, watershed buffers and public nature preserves, and has permanently protected more than 9,600 acres since its founding. The organization is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, a distinction that requires a rigorous third-party review of governance, finances and conservation practices.
For more information on conservation easements, donating land, the Adopt a Preserve program or upcoming events in Northwest Arkansas, visit nwalandtrust.org.
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!
