Bats, Bluegrass, and 20 Years of Conservation
Experience the magic of the karst Ozarks at dusk! Come for the music, stay for the mission.
Listen to an interview with Executive Director Leif Kindberg and lead singer of the Sons of Otis Malone, Travis Chaney on Ozarks at Large.
“As dusk settles over the Sanctuary, bluegrass fills the air—and then the sky stirs with the flutter of gray bats. It’s a stunning moment that reminds us why we protect this beautiful place.” - Morgan Keeling, Associate Director
Bats and Bluegrass returns July 19th, 2025 to IRWP’s Watershed Sanctuary in Cave Springs. This year marks 20 years of conservation partnerships, and we’re celebrating with live music from Sons of Otis Malone and Bouse, hands-on watershed education, nature hikes, scavenger hunts, nature journaling, and the seasonal emergence of Gray Bats from the Sanctuary's cave. Relaunched to a sold-out crowd in 2024, this signature event is a vibrant blend of local culture, conservation, and community.
Tickets are $10-$30, and you can purchase them on Eventbrite, here. Learn more about the event on our event page, here.
20 Years of Conservation Partnerships
For 20 years, the Illinois River Watershed Partnership has been building bridges across sectors—connecting farmers, city planners, educators, researchers, and neighbors to protect the rivers, springs, and groundwater that make this region so special. From restoring streambanks to advancing low-impact development and empowering the next generation of watershed stewards, IRWP’s work is rooted in collaboration and a shared love for clean water and strong communities.
Bats and Bluegrass is an invitation to be part of this story. Your ticket supports education, restoration, and stewardship efforts across the watershed. Whether you’re coming for the music, the bats, or the mission, your presence helps us continue this work for the next 20 years and beyond. Can’t attend? Consider making a donation or becoming an event sponsor to keep the momentum going.
Sponsorships are $1,000 and the sponsor will receive 10 tickets to distribute, with a custom discount code that they can share, as well as other recognition. (See the sponsorship document linked.) We also love it when sponsors set up a booth during the event. We invite you to reach out!
Volunteers get into the event Free and will have access to an exclusive volunteer lounge with snacks and drinks, IRWP swag, and volunteer shifts end at 8 PM so you can also enjoy the emergence and music.
Fun for the Whole Family
“The kids were super excited because this is technically their first concert.” Zoe Meggert, 2024
Besides the music and bat emergence, IRWP have some engaging educational activities planned for the day. There will be duplicate sessions of Nature Journaling and Nature Hiking starting at 5:30 and 6:45. Nature Journaling will be led by Erica Benoit with the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, or ANHC. ANHC owns property adjacent to the Watershed Sanctuary managed by IRWP.
Anne Marie Adair with Gearhead Outfitters spent some time with Suzanne Murphy, Youth Education and Water Monitoring Specialist at IRWP to gear up for leading the nature hikes.
Post Pediatrics will lead a scavenger hunt around the sanctuary, a chance to win a swag bag of local discounts and prizes or other giveaways. Boston Mountain Grotto will lead Squeeze Box demonstrations, Arkansas Game and Fish, Northeastern State University, Cherokee Nation, Arkansas Department of Health, Know the Flow and U of A Cooperative Extension, US Fish and Wildlife, and others will all be there with education and activities to fill the evening.
Thanks to BBB Septic, we will more and closer restrooms, and thanks to Waste Management, plenty of space for vendors and attendees to dispose of waste at the festival.
Beaver Water District will be rolling though with their Hydration trailer!
Thank you to Freese and Nichols for your year-round support of our events.
We couldn’t do it without these incredible partners!
Email contact@irwp.org or call our main line at (479) 203-7084 for inquiries.
