Upcoming Events at IRWP
Event Summaries
Siloam Springs Rain Garden Design Workshop
This event will fill up quick! Register Now.
The entire family is invited to join the Illinois River Watershed Partnership, Grand River Dam Authority, the City of Siloam Springs, and Ivory Bill Brewing for this educational workshop that will enable you to start your rain garden or bioswale project. Be one of the first 25 households in Siloam Springs to register and take a free rain barrel home ($70+ value).
Please Register below. Email contact@irwp.org if you have any questions. We will confirm your spot by email the week prior to the event. Check out the Facebook Event in the meantime.
AGENDA will be posted here when ready!
You may not think that your lawn has much of an impact on the world beyond your block, but it does! We have been trained over generations to appreciate lawns and open space as that are uniform with grass freshly cut short and free of ruffage. Let‘s rethink our vision of a perfect lawn and learn how to incorporate stormwater into our landscaping to improve water quality, help our neighbors downstream, and create beautiful spaces that connect us with our natural heritage.
“Each week we mow 45 million acres of lawns, an area larger than Florida. Two million more acres of lawns are added each year. Over the growing season, 800 million gallons of gasoline are used. We use 25,000 gallons of water per lawn to keep it green, half of our household water consumption. Lawns are our biggest irrigated crop but we cannot eat it or sell it.“ (AR.Audubon.org)
One of the primary reasons we need more use of rain gardens, rain barrels, managed natural areas, no mow zones, and other residential stormwater solutions is due to the rapid streambank erosion we are experiencing in the Illinois River Watershed. Our engineered hardscapes are very efficient at moving stormwater away from our properties at a high volume, velocity and with contaminants eventually arriving at our natural stormwater infrastructure - swales, streams, creeks, and rivers that are used for recreation and drinking water. This natural infrastructure is not equipped to handle the consequences of even small rains falling on today’s engineered landscapes. Streambank erosion is “death by 1,000 cuts” as it shears away soil, erodes banks resulting in tree falls, and loss of what we call riparian vegetation. The riparian area is the area of land adjacent to the stream; it is an important and often vulnerable area, hosting a multitude of habitats and shading the water to prevent pathogen breeding and harmful algae blooms. One other reason we need to integrate native plants and rain gardens into our landscapes is that deep root systems absorb stormwater and treat pollution from fertilization, pesticide and herbicide application, industrial contaminants, pet waste, and most everything to keep them from going downstream. This process is called phytoremediation.
Resources: Building Rain Barrels to Harvest Rainwater
Pasture Walk - Stan and Coral Oller Family Farm
Join Grassroots Grazing Group (GGG) at the Oller farm to see rotational grazing in action. You will have the opportunity to discuss effective use of electric and permanent fencing for rotational grazing, see innovative alternative livestock watering systems, and connect with other producers. The Oller’s have implemented multiple livestock management and Oak Savanna reclamation practices and they will discuss how they are working so far.
Lunch will be provided. Please bring a lawn chair, hat, and anything else you may need for this rain or shine event.
Please register using the link below.
We hope to see you there!
REGISTRATION OPTIONS POSTED CLOSER TO EVENT
TIME TO BE UPDATED
6/08/2021 - Email morgan@irwp.org or call/text 479-321-6222 if you would like to register after this date.
Arkansas Water Resources Conference
Join us for the Annual Arkansas Water Resources Conference!
Bats & Bluegrass Festival
Receive an IRWP T-Shirt with Donations of $50 or more! Help support our mission and get an iconic reminder of your contribution.
Save the Date for Bats and Bluegrass at the Watershed Sanctuary in Cave Springs. Join us for a day filled with fun activities, delicious food and smells from food trucks, creative flora and fauna-themed face painting, live bluegrass music, engaging educational booths and stations, an exciting scavenger hunt, and the spectacular sight of bats emerging from Cave Springs Cave! Be sure to check back as we get closer to the event date for additional details.
Donation Details
Entry: $10 per person, $30 per family
Donation package for donors giving $50+
Support our fundraising goals and promote awareness of IRWP
.LET US KNOW YOU ARE COMING
Register Below
Septic Remediation Pilot Programs in Priority Watersheds - Webinar
Septic systems are a potential source of impairment for groundwater and surface-flowing waterways. Most homeowners do not have sufficient savings to fully address outages when they are needed. In an effort to reduce the environmental and health impacts caused by failing systems, Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP) and H2Ozarks have piloted Septic Tank Remediation Programs to offer financial assistance (grants and 0% interest loans) and technical assistance to homeowners, funded by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Division (NRD). Learn how this program is administered and how this program uses Clean Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF) to fund operations, outreach, design, and construction of projects that meet eligibility criteria.
Septic Remediation Program Lunch and Learn
Environmental Health Specialists, Designated Representatives, Septic Installers join us for lunch and program updates. We will have a group discussion and if weather permits, take a 45 minute hike at the Watershed Sanctuary after lunch.
Bring a water bottle, laptop or notepad.
Email morgan@irwp.org if you have any questions or dietary concerns (gluten free, vegan).
Public Forum / Community Input Meeting - Conservation-Based Recreation Planning
Join us for an engaging Open House and Community Input Meeting hosted at the Illinois River Watershed Partnership’s Watershed Sanctuary. This meeting will inform the development of a Conservation Based Recreation Master Plan. The plan will identify areas under the most recreational pressure, assess environmental vulnerabilities, and offer specific recommendations for best management practices in areas of public access, all while respecting private property rights and safeguarding the resource we all want to protect.
We're eager to hear your perspectives on:
Ideas and concerns for the future of river protection and recreation
The plan’s mission, vision, and objectives
River planning zones and preliminary findings
River safety, etiquette, and stewardship guidelines
Personal experiences, both positive and negative, along the river
Enjoy sausage links and snacks provided by Generations Bank of Siloam Springs! We will also have door prizes.
We understand that trust is essential, and we value the sentiments and needs of landowners like you. That's why we're genuinely eager to hear from you about the Illinois River and Osage Creek Conservation Based Recreation Master Plan. Your input is not only crucial but also deeply appreciated, particularly as our region undergoes changes and the demand for recreational opportunities along the Illinois River continues to rise.
This initiative, which began in the Spring of 2022, aims to address the increasing recreational use along the Illinois River and Osage Creek while ensuring the preservation of river health. Thanks to a Benton County grant, formal planning commenced in the Spring of 2023.
Since then, we've conducted a series of meetings, user surveys, and key-informant interviews to gather your goals and concerns for river protection and recreation.
We invite you to join us and share your thoughts on the Conservation-Based Recreation Planning Approach and the Preliminary Findings for the Illinois River and Osage Creek. Your input is invaluable to shaping the future of our waterways. Please RSVP below. We can't wait to see you there!
Watershed Management Practices for a Growing Economy - Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Arkansas
Program Description: Water resources management is increasingly challenging in a growing Northwest Arkansas. As the population reaches one million people by 2045, best management practices that support water quality, storm-water management, a growing economy, and quality of life in our region will become increasingly important. In this two-hour workshop, Leif Kindberg and Morgan Keeling along with the class, will look at the history, challenges, and best management practices for both municipalities and commercial and residential landowners to start tackling their water problems - including flooding and erosion - in NWA.
Register on OLLI’s Site: https://reg138.imperisoft.com/UARK/ProgramDetail/3430383235/Registration.aspx
or Search by Semester (Spring) and Instructor (Leif Kindberg or Morgan Keeling)
OLLI at University of Arkansas
481 S. Shiloh Drive, Fayetteville AR 72704
479-575-4545
http://olli.uark.edu/
Northsong Wild Bird Rehabilitation, Red-shouldered Hawk Release
Public Invited to watch Hawk released at our Watershed Sanctuary
WAITLIST ONLY - Wetlands of the Illinois River Field Tour
This tour is full.
Registering below will place you on the waitlist. An IRWP staff will email you if a spot opens up.
Tour three of the City of Siloam Springs’ constructed wetlands features and the Lake Frances Wetland. This is an excellent opportunity for city staff, developers, and private landowners to see first-hand how constructed wetland features can add value to public spaces, manage stormwater, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve water quality. Meet at Ivory Bill Brewing and then hop the bus to visit wetland features at Bob Henry Park, Simmons Headquarters, the Golf Course, and Lake Frances.
Please prepare for a bit of rain, we have adjusted the agenda to try and miss the worst of it in the afternoon. Bring an umbrella, a water bottle, and wear comfortable (waterproof) shoes and clothing appropriate for walking in mud and rain. Sun and wind protection is also recommended. Email Jake Owens at jake@irwp.org if you have any questions.
Final Agenda:
8:45 - 9:15 Pour Jons Coffee at Ivory Bill Brewing for Networking
9:15 -9:45 Introduction to the Field Tour Sites / Load Shuttle
10:00 -12:00 Siloam Springs Wetland Tours
Shuttle Service Provided
Stop 1: Bob Henry Park
Stop 2: Simmons HQ
Stop 3: Siloam Springs Golf Course
12:00 Shuttle to Lake Frances
12:15 - 12:45 Lake Frances Wetland Tour with Bio x Design
1:00 Shuttle to Ivory Bill, Lunch Provided, Brown Bag from Pour Jons
1:30 Final Words and Dismiss
2023 Fall Native Tree Giveaway - Elm Springs & Tontitown
PICK UP TREES on Saturday, November 4th 8:30-Noon Elm Springs City Hall 289 Jayroe Ave. Elm Springs, AR
🌳 Limit: 2 Trees per household, must choose two different species
🍃 Register below to reserve your trees
🍁 To pick up: You will be required to show your current DL or utility bill to prove residence in Elm Springs or Tontitown
Register by November 1st to hold your trees. Please note, registration may fill up and be closed before November 1st. Registration form below.
Trees are provided by Illinois River Watershed Partnership in conjunction with City of Elm Springs & City of Tontitown.
Registration is Closed- Please check back on November 1st for availability
Pick Up Where You Play
Join us on October 7th at 9 AM to “Pick up Where You Play” at one of two sites:
Each fall community partners come together on a regional effort to remove litter from recreational areas. We hope that you will join us in our mission to improve water quality in the Illinois River Watershed by joining “Pick Up Where You Play”. This clean-up is a partnership with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service. There are several sites and dates to contribute to these efforts which can be found through the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Office website HERE.
Cleanups will start at 9 AM and we will go until the site is cleaned up but no later than noon.
Please email morgan@irwp.org if you have questions or need further accommodations to attend this event.
Kicking Trash- Labor Day Cleanup
IRWP invites you to help us in an outreach event at the Chamber Springs access point on the Illinois River over Labor Day weekend. Many families swim and recreate at this site on summer holiday weekends, historically leaving lots of trash behind. We have partnered with Arkansas Game & Fish to provide a dumpster on site to kick trash on these holiday weekends! We are planning an outreach event for this Labor Day weekend on Sunday, Sept. 3rd, and Monday, Sept. 4th, from 9:30-3:30 each day. Volunteers would interact with visitors to the Illinois River, giving out free cookies and trash bags and encouraging guests to use the dumpster and help keep our access site clean.
Third Public Meeting for Illinois River Watershed Management Plan
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division (NRD), in partnership with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC), has scheduled the third in a series of public meetings to update the watershed-based management plan for the Illinois River Watershed. The meeting will be held August 10, 2023 in West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma.
The Illinois River and its tributaries have a variety of uses set forth by the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission (APCEC), including fisheries, recreation, drinking water supply, and agricultural and industrial water supply. The goal of this watershed-based plan is to protect and improve water quality in streams and other waterbodies by addressing non-regulatory issues through voluntary activities or practices.
“We greatly appreciate the overwhelming turnout of nearly 100 stakeholders for the second meeting in May,” said Tate Wentz, NRD Water Quality Section Manager. “The third meeting will be focus on watershed modeling and anticipated outcomes of conservation practice implementation. We will continue to accept input from stakeholders about those practices, so it is critical for anyone interested to attend as it will help guide resource allocations to improve water quality into the future.”
The meeting is open to the public and representatives from Arkansas and Oklahoma will provide an overview of the watershed management planning process. Stakeholders will hear more about water quality issues, conservation practices, the current state of the watershed, and the next steps in the development of the management plan.
The meeting is set for August 10, 2023 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will be held at the Cherokee Casino and Hotel located at 2416 US-412 West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma 74338.
Arkansas Water Resources Conference 2023
Join us for the 2023 Arkansas Water Resources Conference in Fayetteville. Register today! https://www.beaverwatershedalliance.org/arkansas-water-resources-watersheds-conference/
Over three days we will be discussing water resources research, monitoring, and management in the Natural State as well as networking and participating in field tours! Space is limited. Register early to not miss it.
Second Illinois River Watershed Management Plan Stakeholder Meeting
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division (NRD), in partnership with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC), have scheduled the second in a series of public meetings to update the watershed-based management plan for the Illinois River Watershed. The meeting will be held May 18, 2023, in West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma.
Those that participate will have a chance to assist with the development and prioritization of water quality improvement practices for urban and rural communities. Some of these practice areas include agriculture, forestry, unpaved roads, streambank erosion, septic remediation, land management, flooding, and turf management.
4th Annual Illinois River Cleanup
Mark your calendars for Earth Day with cleanup sites on land or on water across our entire watershed. Please register online to help us save our Watershed. Cleanup site locations are in detail below with a map link for each site. Pick the appropriate section for you!
ALL Participants MUST complete an online registration. Participants in boats must wear a life jacket at all times on the float. Celebration to follow the cleanups.
Land/Shoreline Cleanup: 1. Siloam Springs City Lake (map)
This is a land based or water based cleanup meeting at Siloam Springs City Lake. Float participants must have ALL of their own gear and meet at the boat launch located just west of the main parking area, and found here.
Gear: Boat, life jacket, appropriate clothing.
Land Cleanup: 2. Sager Creek (map)
Cleanup is land based. Meet at Bob Henry Park. Cleanup will be along the trail going both directions from Bob Henry Park.
Land Cleanup: 3. Siloam Springs Kayak Park (map)
Cleanup is land based at the Siloam Springs Kayak Park, including Fisher Ford Rd.
Float Cleanup: 4. Siloam Springs Kayak Park to Gypsy Camp
Cleanup is on the Illinois River. Participants must have ALL of their own gear and shuttle. Float will start at the Siloam Springs Kayak Park and end at Gypsy Camp & Canoe. No shuttle or boats provided. (map- launch ; map take-out)
Distance: 3.5 miles
Gear: Boat, life jacket, appropriate clothing.
Land Cleanup: 5. Chamber Springs (map)
Cleanup is land based at Chamber Springs Public Access, including Chamber Springs Rd.
Float Cleanup: 6. Kincheloe to Chamber Springs
Cleanup is on the Illinois River. Participants must have ALL of their own gear and shuttle. Float will start at Kincheloe RD to Chamber Springs Public Access. No shuttle or boats provided. (map-launch; map-take out)
Distance: 3.5 miles
Gear: Boat, life jacket, appropriate clothing.
Land Cleanup: 7. Osage Creek (map)
Cleanup is land based near Home Depot and Osage Creek and the Turtle Creek Trail in Rogers, AR. Park in the SW corner of Home Depot Parking Lot and head west towards the trail.
Land Cleanup: 8. Osage Park - (map)
Cleanup is land based meeting at Osage Park Pavilion in Bentonville, AR.
Land Cleanup: 9. Springdale- Spring Creek - (map)
Cleanup is land based near Spring Creek and the Razorback Greenway by Sanders Ave near Light Keepers Bookstore.
Land/Shoreline Cleanup: 10. Brush Creek and Lake Elmdale (map)
This is a land based or water based cleanup meeting at the Lake Elmdale Boat Ramp. Float participants must have ALL of their own gear.
Gear: Boat, life jacket, appropriate clothing.
Land/Shoreline Cleanup: 11. Lake Fayetteville (map)
This is a land based or water based cleanup meeting at Lake Fayetteville Marina. Float participants must have ALL of their own gear.
Gear: Boat, life jacket, appropriate clothing.
Land Cleanup: 12 Farmington Creekside Park (map)
This is a land based cleanup meeting at Farmington Creekside Park.
Land/Shoreline Cleanup: 13. Lincoln Lake (map)
This is a land based or water based cleanup meeting at Lincoln Lake boat ramp. Float participants must have ALL of their own gear.
Gear: Boat, life jacket, appropriate clothing.
Thanks to our amazing sponsors for helping make this event possible!
City of Siloam Springs City of Fayetteville City of Bentonville Keep Arkansas Beautiful GRDA Benton County Arkansas Washington county Arkansas Pack Rat Outdoor Center Osage Park City of Springdale Generations Bank Gypsy Camp & Canoe Tulsa Kayak Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Coca-Cola City of Rogers
Siloam Springs Rain Barrel Workshop - WAITLIST ONLY AS OF 2/14
This event is full! If you register, you will be added to the waitlist and we will reach out if a spot opens up.
The entire family is invited to join the Illinois River Watershed Partnership, Grand River Dam Authority, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension, the City of Siloam Springs, and Ivory Bill Brewing for this educational workshop on lawn care and rain barrels. Be one of the first 25 households in Siloam Springs to register and take a free, pre-built rain barrel home ($70+ value). One per household, please bring the mailed invitation or a Siloam Springs utility bill to receive your free rain barrel.
If you do not live in Siloam Springs, you are still welcome to attend the workshop.
Please Register below. Email contact@irwp.org if you have any questions. We will confirm your spot by email the week prior to the event. Check out the Facebook Event in the meantime.
AGENDA
1:00 PM - Introductions, grab a beer and a seat!
1:05 PM - Sustainable Stormwater in NWA - Morgan Keeling, IRWP
1:30 PM - Landowner Opportunities through Pollinator Partnership and Bee Friendly Gardening Programs - Sara Wittenberg, Bee Friendly Gardening Coordinator / Arkansas NRCS Pollinator Liaison / Pollinator Partnership
1:50 PM - Questions
2:00 PM - Break
2:15 PM - Landscaping for Water Quality - Jeri Fleming, GRDA
2:50 PM - Break
3:00 PM - Build Your Own Demonstration and Maintenance - Jane Maginot, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension
3:40 PM - Questions
3:50 PM - Load your Rain Barrels or stay and chat with us!
You may not think that your lawn has much of an impact on the world beyond your block, but it does! We have been trained over generations to appreciate lawns and open space as that are uniform with grass freshly cut short and free of ruffage. Let‘s rethink our vision of a perfect lawn and learn how to incorporate stormwater into our landscaping to improve water quality, help our neighbors downstream, and create beautiful spaces that connect us with our natural heritage.
“Each week we mow 45 million acres of lawns, an area larger than Florida. Two million more acres of lawns are added each year. Over the growing season, 800 million gallons of gasoline are used. We use 25,000 gallons of water per lawn to keep it green, half of our household water consumption. Lawns are our biggest irrigated crop but we cannot eat it or sell it.“ (AR.Audubon.org)
One of the primary reasons we need more use of rain barrels, managed natural areas, no mow zones, and other residential stormwater solutions is due to the rapid streambank erosion we are experiencing in the Illinois River Watershed. Our engineered hardscapes are very efficient at moving stormwater away from our properties at a high volume, velocity and with contaminants eventually arriving at our natural stormwater infrastructure - swales, streams, creeks, and rivers that are used for recreation and drinking water. This natural infrastructure is not equipped to handle the consequences of even small rains falling on today’s engineered landscapes. Streambank erosion is “death by 1,000 cuts” as it shears away soil, erodes banks resulting in tree falls, and loss of what we call riparian vegetation. The riparian area is the area of land adjacent to the stream; it is an important and often vulnerable area, hosting a multitude of habitats and shading the water to prevent pathogen breeding and harmful algae blooms. One other reason we need to integrate native plants and rain gardens into our landscapes is that deep root systems absorb stormwater and treat pollution from fertilization, pesticide and herbicide application, industrial contaminants, pet waste, and most everything to keep them from going downstream. This process is called phytoremediation.
Resources: Building Rain Barrels to Harvest Rainwater
RESCHEDULED Due to Weather - Watershed Management Plan Update - 2nd Stakeholder meeting
New Date TBD - We will send out an email notice when we have the input session rescheduled.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division (NRD), in partnership with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC), has scheduled the second in a series of public meetings to update the watershed-based management plan for the Illinois River Watershed. The meeting will be held January 24, 2023, in West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma. Participants are encouraged to attend in person.
You will have a chance to help develop and prioritized water quality improvement practices for urban and rural areas ranging from agriculture, forestry, unpaved roads, streambank erosion, septic remediation, land management, flooding, and turf management.
Native & Invasive Vegetation Management Training
Invasive Plants Removal & Native Plant Workshop for NWA cities, municipalities, and the interested public as seats are available. Presented by Watershed Conservation Resource Center (WCRC) the Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP) at the Fayetteville Public Library.
Hands-on Training, Three teams with Instructors to demonstrate
Cut-Stump, Excavator Demonstration, & Other Invasive Removal Methods
Identification of Native Trees, Shrubs, & Grasses
Tools, Storage, & Clean-up when using chemical application
Please Bring: Scissors, machetes, bug spray, sun protection
Field Instructors: WCRC: Jordan Forbis, Tanner Wright, Jesse Scarbrough, Greyson Farris, & Yancey Chapman; BWA: Nate Weston; IRWP: Jake Owens, Morgan Keeling
Pick Up Where You Play - Creek Cleanups for Make a Difference Day
We will be cleaning up Hamestring Creek, Clabber Creek, and Bob Kidd Lake! Register here or sign up at Fossil Cove’s Taproom. You can secure your final location preference closer to the day of the event. Plan to bring tall boots or waders if you have them, a hat/sunscreen, water bottle, and a friend for this quick afternoon cleanup day followed by a happy hour (beer or coffee available!) to celebrate with other volunteers. First drink is on us. 🍻☕️
Native & Invasive Vegetation Management Training
Invasive Plants Removal & Native Plant Workshop for NWA cities, municipalities, and the interested public as seats are available. Presented by Watershed Conservation Resource Center (WCRC) the Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP) at the Fayetteville Public Library.
Hands-on Training, Three teams with Instructors to demonstrate
Cut-Stump, Excavator Demonstration, & Other Invasive Removal Methods
Identification of Native Trees, Shrubs, & Grasses
Tools, Storage, & Clean-up when using chemical application
Please Bring: Scissors, machetes, bug spray, sun protection
Field Instructors: WCRC: Jordan Forbis, Tanner Wright, Jesse Scarbrough, Greyson Farris, & Yancey Chapman; BWA: Nate Weston; IRWP: Jake Owens, Morgan Keeling
Pick Up Where You Play - Illinois River Cleanups
We will be cleaning up along the Illinois River and at public access sites. FIRST 6 RAFTS AND 15 KAYAKS FREE for VOLUNTEERS at Illinois River RV, Campground & Floats, or clean up on dry land at Chamber Springs Public Access.
Please Register & Groups are Welcome!
Age eligible volunteers are entered to win a 2 night stay and float trip for 4 with Gracie’s Canoe Camp on the Elk River for Pick Up Where You Play; visit www.uaex.uada.edu/litter for more information. We appreciate the generous support from Coca-Cola and Illinois River RV, Campground & Floats for this cleanup. Finally, volunteers are welcome to join IRWP at Fossil Cove on October 22nd at 3:30 PM for a brew on us to say thanks!
First Public Meeting for Illinois River Watershed Management Plan
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division (NRD), in partnership with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC), has scheduled the first in a series of public meetings to update the watershed-based management plan for the Illinois River Watershed. The meeting will be held October 11 in Siloam Springs.
The Illinois River and its tributaries have a variety of uses set forth by the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission (APCEC), including fisheries, recreation, drinking water supply, and agricultural and industrial water supply. The goal of this watershed-based plan is to protect and improve water quality in streams and other waterbodies by addressing non-regulatory issues through voluntary activities or practices.
“The NRD and the OCC are working collaboratively to host a series of stakeholder meetings that will guide the update of the Illinois River Watershed management plan for the next decade,” said Tate Wentz, NRD Water Quality Section Manager. “The two states’ holistic approach to update the plan in unison will better align nonpoint source needs across the entire watershed.”
The meeting is open to the public and will provide an overview of the watershed management planning process. Stakeholders will discuss water quality issues, conservation practices, the current state of the watershed, and the next steps in the development of the management plan.
The meeting is set for October 11 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will be held at the First Baptist Church located at 2000 Dawn Hill Rd., Siloam Springs, Arkansas, 72761.
For more information about the meeting, contact Tate Wentz at tate.wentz@agriculture.arkansas.gov.
For more information about the Illinois River Watershed, visit www.irwp.org/.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for citizens of the state and nation. Visit agriculture.arkansas.gov/. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Blue Cities Osage Creek/Illinois River Float Field Tour
Floating the Illinois River in Arkansas.
Take a float tour with IRWP and partners to discuss conservation, connectivity, and stormwater conveyance in Northwest Arkansas and learn about how the tributaries of the Illinois River are changing. Gain a better understanding of our water connectivity and see some of the downstream effects of upstream land use in the Illinois River Watershed on October 7th (Rain date October 21st).
We will take with a tour with The Nature Conservancy of the Logan Springs Preserve to learn about the restoration work being done and how this important conservation effort came together. Participants will board their choice of a raft or inflatable kayak. On this quick 3-mile float, we will discuss the connectivity of our water infrastructure in Northwest Arkansas and what stressors our natural stormwater conveyance systems are experiencing. Much of the sedimentation in the creek and in the Illinois River is due to degrading/eroding streambanks. A streamside activity will demonstrate how the composition of the streambed affects the local ecology. We will stop at a restoration project designed by Watershed Conservation Resource Center and their team will show best management practices for restoring degrading streambanks.
Coffee, pastries, and lunch will be provided for participants.
Use the “Google Calendar - ICS” button on the left to add this event to your calendar!
We will cap this event at 35 participants and will prioritize seats for city council members, city and county planning, quorum court, city staff, and regional planning, and will make space for other interests as available.
Email morgan@irwp.org for questions, comments, or ideas.
Agenda:
8:15 AM: Enjoy coffee, pastries, fruit and conversation before the tour begins
8:30 AM: Introduction to Conservation, Connectivity, and Stormwater Conveyance by Leif Kindberg, IRWP
8:50 AM: Conservation at Logan Springs Preserve with Chas McCoy, The Nature Conservancy & Native Plant Discussion with Jake Owens, IRWP
9:50 AM: Load Shuttle for Kayak Park – fill your water bottles and grab a snack!
10:30 AM: Restoration and Recreation with Travis Chaney, City of Siloam Springs & Jerrid Gelinas, IRWP
10:50 AM: Put in Kayak Park - 37 North leads the tour
On the float ~11:15 AM: Water Quality and the Streambed by Justin Nachtigal, IRWP
On the float ~12:00 PM: Streambanks and the Effects of Our Changing Stormwater Conveyance Needs with Matt Van Eps, Watershed Conservation Resource Center
12:50 PM: Pull out at Gypsy Camp for lunch
1:00 PM: Lunch Presentation: The Northwest Arkansas Open Space Plan by Elizabeth Bowen, Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission
1:40 PM: Wrap Up and Shuttle back to Logan Springs
2:00 PM: Arrive to vehicles at Logan Springs
Private Lands Partners Day 2022
The Illinois River watershed has over 1,000 miles of streams and covers over 1 million acres in the Ozark Highlands region of western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. Karst features, such as sinkholes, spring-fed streams, and caves, are common across the region. The historical ecology included hardwood and pine forests, savannas, and tall grass prairies.
Today, most of the land use consists of agriculture and expanding urban/ residential areas. Poultry and cattle are the primary agricultural land uses; pastureland and hay fields being common. This region, like many across Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and the region depend on partnerships that improve water quality, wildlife habitat, and the productivity of private lands.
Become a sponsor, register, and find out more at https://partnerscapes.org/private-lands-partners-day-2022/
Program agenda available here.
Pervious Pavement Cleaning Demonstration
Join us for a demonstration workshop on cleaning permeable concrete pavers to optimize function.
Lake Elmdale Cleanup
Join us for a morning of giving back to Lake Elmdale. After the heavy rains earlier this year, some areas are in need of trash removal. Please register below if you are interested or planning to attend!
Small children will not be suitable for this event as it requires working along some steep banks. Please plan to wear tall waterproof boots or bring waders. We are seeking volunteers experienced with kayaks or canoes to assist with the shoreline cleanup. We will provide a water station to refill your water bottle, disposable gloves, bags, and vests for anyone working near the road.
NWA Stormwater Discussion 2022 with Field Tour
Registration is closed. If you would like to join, you may reach out to Morgan at morgan@irwp.org or by call/text at 479-321-6222 to see if a seat has become available.
Advance your expertise and contribute to the NWA Stormwater Discussion with professionals from planning, development, engineering, and our locally elected officials. Join Beaver Watershed Alliance and IRWP for a regional Stormwater Discussion.
The goal of this learning opportunity is to advance the conversation on financing and policy by gaining multiple perspectives on ways we can integrate sustainable stormwater practices and supporting policies. Secondarily, we hope to arm our cities, counties, and developers with tools and ideas on how we can work together to tackle stormwater management challenges across the region– challenges that will grow as the population and need for developed spaces expands and creates greater risk for incidents of flooding and erosion. We will discuss what funding is available for both grey and green stormwater infrastructure and how governing entities could expect to raise funds to repay loan portions.
The event will include Denny McPhate, Deputy Director at the City of Hot Springs to present on their 15 years of implementation of their stormwater utility. The Urban Land Institute (ULI) will lead a panel discussion with representatives from Runway Group, Rausch Coleman, and Crafton Tull to uncover the development professionals perspective about working across the region under different drainage criteria. After lunch, we wrap up the workshop portion with quick discussions from three different financing professionals, including the presentation of a Tableau financing webtool developed for cities, counties, and utilities. We want to foster plenty of open discussion across these professional disciplines to surface further discussion and understand the real barriers to implementation of both policy and practice.
In the afternoon, we will get outdoors to take a closer look at low impact development being implemented by Blue Ribbon and EDG alongside BWA in the City of Rogers.
Developers, real estate professionals, city and county elected officials, those in planning, engineering, and related disciplines are invited to attend, others are welcome also. Please note: We will cap the discussion at 75 participants and will prioritize seats for those in the professional fields mentioned above.
NWA Stormwater Discussion
AGENDA
8:45 AM: Coffee and Pastries Served at the IRWP Pavilion
9:00 AM: IRWP + BWA Executive Directors, State of the Watersheds
9:30 AM: Caves, Karst, and Springs - a walk back to the Cave Springs cave
10:00 AM: Wes Craiglow (ULI) Introduction to Smart Stormwater Development
10:15 AM: Developer Discussion + Q&A with Brenda Anderson (Runway Group), Jesse Fulcher (Rausch Coleman), Robyn Lane (Crafton Tull), Tim Conklin, NWA Regional Planning Commission
11:00 AM: Break and Networking
11:15 AM: Denny McPhate (City of Hot Springs), Lessons Learned: 15 Years of Stormwater Utility Fees in Hot Springs + Q&A
12:00 PM: Lunch
12:30 PM: Evan Kirk (Environmental Finance Group), Tableau Webtool - Virtual presentation
1:00 PM: Ryan Benefield (IRWP Board, Arkansas Natural Resources Division), Stormwater Assessment Update and Low Interest Loans Available Through ANRD
1:15 PM: Henderson Brown (IRWP Board, Quantified Ventures), The Path Forward as a Region
1:30 PM: Load Busses for Field Tour Portion — LID and GI in Rogers
2:00 PM: Pinnacle Porous Pavers Streets by Alex Blass (Blue Ribbon) and Jane Maginot (University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension)
2:30 PM: Leave for Lake Atalanta
2:50 PM: Lake Atalanta LID by BWA, Lance Job (City of Rogers), and Brahm Driver (EDG)
3:15 PM: Load Busses to return to Learning Center - Surveys and Closing Remarks
Useful Links:
www.irwp.org/olc/sbe (2020 Streambank Erosion Study)
Resources from Last Year’s Discussion:
About last year’s Stormwater Discussion:
Pasture Walk - Stan and Coral Oller Family Farm
Join Grassroots Grazing Group (GGG) at the Oller farm to see rotational grazing in action. You will have the opportunity to discuss effective use of electric and permanent fencing for rotational grazing, see innovative alternative livestock watering systems, and connect with other producers. The Oller’s have implemented multiple livestock management and Oak Savanna reclamation practices and they will discuss how they are working so far.
Lunch will be provided. Please bring a lawn chair, hat, and anything else you may need for this rain or shine event.
Please register using the link below.
We hope to see you there!
REGISTRATION CLOSED
6/08/2021 - Email morgan@irwp.org or call/text 479-321-6222 if you would like to register after this date.
Unpaved Roads Workshop
Registration Link: https://cttp.uark.edu/technology-transfer/drainage-control-5-12-22.php
