June 30, 2008

llinois River Watershed Partnership Awarded $435,000 in Grants

Illinois River Watershed Partnership Awarded $435,000 in Grants

Northwest Arkansas – The Walton Family Foundation and Arkansas Natural Resources Commission recently awarded $435,000 in grants to the Illinois River Watershed Partnership. A $150,000 grant from the WFF and a $150,000 matching grant from ANRC will fund Phases II and III of a comprehensive watershed management plan for the Upper Illinois River Watershed.

The IRWP was also awarded three grants of $45,000 to organize stream teams and conduct water quality monitoring projects within the watershed in Arkansas. The ANRC's mission is to manage and protect water and land resources for the health, safety and economic benefit of Arkansas, which is directly in line with the goals and future projects of the IRWP.

According to the IRWP executive director Dr. Delia Haak, "The Illinois River Watershed Partnership is so grateful for the support of the Walton Family Foundation and ANRC. We are very excited about the work that will be accomplished in the watershed through these grants. Evan Teague, vice president, and I, were invited to present the work of the Partnership at the Region 6 EPA Office in Dallas. Both the Regional Administrator, Richard Greene, and Deputy Administrator Larry Starfield, were very complimentary of the significant state and local support from our watershed sponsors and members."

The IRWP will continue emphasizing the role of education and outreach in the preservation and conservation of the watershed. In addition to the watershed management plan and the new monitoring grants, the organization also plans an annual Riparian Project to maintain or establish new riparian buffers, and teach others how their actions positively affect the watershed.

IRWP was established in December 2005 by a diverse group of Northwest Arkansas leaders and watershed stakeholders (anyone who has a share or interest in any or all issues related to the watershed, including residents) committed to personal action and the reinforcement and recognition of the positive actions of others.

The Illinois River Watershed Partnership's mission is to continue to improve the integrity of the Illinois River Watershed through public education and community outreach, water quality monitoring, and the implementation of conservation and restoration practices throughout the watershed. For more information, to join a stream team, to become a member or to become a sponsor log on to www.IRWP.org.

January 2008

Preserving and Protecting Our Natural Resources in Citiscapes
Story by Aaron Bleidt

November 2007

Contributions Flow During 'Waterfall Evening' in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Story and Photos by Cyd King

Artist William McNamara and wilderness photographer Tim Ernst pooled their talents the night of Nov. 17 for a "Waterfall Evening," a night of gourmet ears, wine and water-related artwork at Compton Gardens, Sponsorships, donations and a silent auction grossed more than $21,000 for the Illinois River Watershed Partnership.

It was McNaamara's first exhibit in five years.

The two men are neighbors in the Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area and donated several pieces, all having to do with water. Mc Namara's Above and Below, a watercolor of a limestone bluff and its reflection on the Buffalo River, brought $9,300. Ernst's canvas print of Neil Compton's Double Falls garnered $2,500.

The event was the first major fundraiser for the Illinois River Watershed Partnership, formed in December 2005 to protect the Arkansas portion of the Illinois River watershed from degredation. Delia Haak, executive director of the partnership, said the group's mission is threefold: to educate watershed residents about how their actions contribute to the watershed environment, to develop and execute water quality monitoring projects and to implement restoration and conservation projects.

The partnership had 135 members before last weekend's fundraiser, 35 more signed up at the party, Haak said. She lauded McNamara and Ernst for their efforts to promote the appreciation of water and other antural resources.

Compton Gardens rests on 6.5 acres near the Bentonville square that was once the home of the late Dr. Neil Compton. Haak said the gardens were a fitting place to have the event since Compton was instrumental in saving the Buffalo River from damming by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a friend to both contributors.

"He influenced their work and their lives, so having it at the garden was significant for them," she said.

About 100 people attended the event. Ernst was on hand to sign copies of his photo books, including his most recent, Arkansas Waterfalls: Scenic Icons of the Natural State. A slideshow of images from the book set to music was played at regular intervals and moved on guest to tears, Haak said.

Sales of his books and prints by McNamara were not part of the fundraiser. Works by several artists at Poor Richard's Gallery in Rogers were donated for the cause. Fare was by At Your Service and wine was Post Familie Wineries.