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!
