Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association
Dedicated to Conserving the Natural Areas of Fayetteville and its Environs for the Benefit of Present & Future Generations
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Plan for Green Infrastructure | Green Infrastructure Working Groups' Reports and Maps | Calendar | Current FNHA Activities | Other Community Events |Plan for Green Infrastructure
Plan for Green Infrastructure - Linking Arkansas Communities 2008-2009
Project Description
A grant in the amount of $25,000 has been given by the USDA Forest Service to the Arkansas Forestry Commission Urban and Community Forestry Program to develop a Plan for Green Infrastructure-Linking Arkansas Communities, 2009-2010. Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association and the Beaver Water District are partners. We will collaborate with elected officials, planners, businesses, economic development groups, landowners and other stakeholders in
The Green Infrastructure Plan will take a strategic approach to provide a rational, scientific, and predictable planning tool for coordinating both conservation of natural resources and encouragement of growth.
The final Green Infrastructure Plan will be a blueprint for our future that combines economic, social, and environmental concerns to link protection of our land and water resources with our future growth.
►Project Brief
►Introductory Presentation
►Green Infrastructure Planning Initial Stakeholder Meeting Presentation August 21, 2008
In March the Working Groups met to present project reports and show Informational Maps to the stakeholders. The next step will be to hold a number of public forums to determine what's improtant to each community.
Green Infrastructure Working Groups' Reports and Maps
►Environmental Working Group Report
►Environmental Working Group Map
►Heritage Working Group Report
►Heritage Working Group Map
►Parks and Trails Working Group Report
►Parks and Trails Working Group Map
►Land Use Working Group Report
Green Infrastructure Links
► Article by Doug James: Why Establish and Preserve Greenspace
► Article by B. Broberg, Journal of National Association of Realtors
► Heritage Conservancy - Growing with Green Infrastructure
► FNHA's Urban Forest Conservation Assessment for Fayetteville, Arkansas
► The Conservation Fund provides training in Green Infrastructure Planning and is a great source for case studies using the Green Infrastructure Approach.
► State of Maryland's Department of Natural Resources Green Infrastructure Planning
► Prince George County, Md., Planning Department's Countywide Green Infrastructure Functional Master Plan
► EPA Green Infrastructure
► Article: Green Infrastructure" Smart Conservation for the 21st Century.This monograph by Mark A. Benedict and Edward T. McMahon (authors and architects of the Green Infrastructure concept and training) predates the main Green Infrastructure text, Green Infrastructure: Linking Landscapes and Communities, but serves as an excellent resource for the basics.
► Go Native When You Go Green - Consider Replanting Northwest Arkansas with Native Trees and Shrubs - PDF Article and List of Native/Non-Native species by Bruce Shackleford, President ECO, Inc
► The Sustainable Sites Initiative: Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks, Draft 2008; a collaborative effort of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas at Austin, and the United States Botanic Garden.
The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation website has two versions of its report Water Issues in Arkansas on its website.
►The Summary Report corresponds to the printed version
►The Companion Report is more extensive
"Those who want to further both the beauty and bounty of America must constantly search for the right balance between development and preservation of resources." Stewart Udall - Secretary of the Interior 1961-1969
Green Infrastructure Working Groups' Reports and Maps
►Environmental Working Group Report
►Environmental Working Group Map
►Heritage Working Group Report
►Heritage Working Group Map
►Parks and Trails Working Group Report
►Parks and Trails Working Group Map
►Land Use Working Group Report
Calendar
On-going Plan for Green Infrastructure - Linking Arkansas Communities 2008-2009, Meeting schedule dates and details will be posted as they become available.
The Arkansas Forestry Commission Urban Forestry Program, the Beaver Water District, and the Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association (FNHA) have received a $25,000 grant to develop a Plan for Green Infrastructure-Linking Arkansas Communities. Green Infrastructure is a strategic conservation planning approach designed to produce a planning tool that incorporates input from many diverse vantage points and uses Geographic information Systems (GIS) mapping. Participation of elected officials, planners, businessmen, economic development groups, landowners, environmentalists, natural resource scientists, and many other types of stakeholders is being sought. These community members will collaborate to identify the networks of natural and working lands that support the biological, cultural, and economic vitality of our region. Our project area encompasses the cities of Farmington, Johnson, Greenland, and Fayetteville with their planning areas and surrounding lands in Washington County. We have already received the support of the County Judge and the mayors or planning staffs of these cities.
Our intent is to facilitate the formulation of the Green Infrastructure Plan by providing forums, guidance, and a comprehensive data set to help community members envision the retention of an optimal green network in Northwest Arkansas. We expect that the completed map of our most precious natural and cultural resources will provide a valuable strategic tool for guiding growth, and we will seek its adoption as part of local community landuse plans.
Our initial meeting :
• Explained the concepts of Green Infrastructure Planning
• Explored the compelling reasons for developing a Green Infrastructure Plan in NW Arkansas
• Had maps to view
• Outlined the next steps
• Gave an opportunity for discussion
• Had sign-up sheets for those interested in participating
Nationally, Green Infrastructure planning projects have succeeded as a result of committed visionary leadership and significant citizen input combined with scientific conservation knowledge and practice. This project is one of four pilot studies in the Southeast Region of the USDA Forest Service and will serve as a prototype for the development of other plans in the state of Arkansas. Stay tuned!
Contacts:
Pete Heinzelmann, PR contact, FNHA, petemarg@cox.net, (479) 841-3404 cell
Bob Caulk, Chairman, FNHA, bobcaulk@cox.net, (479) 973-2968 home
Karen Rollet-Crocker, Vice-Chairman, FNHA, krollet@uark.edu, (479) 790-5539 cell
Barbara Boland, Project Coordinator, FNHA, barbaraboland@hotmail.com, (479) 521-2801 home
January 21, Thursday, 6:00 PM, Monthly FNHA Board Meeting, call Bob Caulk for info 973-2968
Members of the Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association once again have an opportunity to tangibly improve the environment in Fayetteville. This latest clean-up is FNHA's next step in cleaning both the Scull Creek Trail right-of-way and the adjacent creek bed. This Fall we will be joined by a co-sponsor -- the UofA Cooperative Extension Service. Past trash-removal efforts have resulted in bagging up of thousands of plastic bottles, flash-flood and construction debris, and even an old tire or two. The payback? A cleaner stream and nicer parkway trail for local residents and visitors to Fayetteville to enjoy -- walking, biking, even roller skating and skate boarding! Past volunteer efforts have provided more than 150 hours of service toward a cleaner community environment.
The Clean-up will start at 5 p.m. at the parking lot at Appleby and Gregg Streets, near Washington Regional Hospital. Gloves, trash bags, and bottled water will be provided. Kids and grand children, with accompanying adults, are especially welcome.
At the conclusion of the clean-up, refreshments and door prizes will be available for volunteers at Wilson Park, courtesy of FNHA' s UofA partner
FANTASTIC!! Many thanks to Brian & Bonnie Runnels for hosting our party this year. Their home and garden were transformed into a magical autumn setting ... beautifully decorated with candles, freshly cut flowers and greenery. They even provided moonlight, stars and a perfect 62 degrees. We had such a great mix of guests, and food that was out of this world... well at least from beyond our US borders. Thanks to Lisa and Abhijheet Purkayastha and their son, Ian, for adding their time and culinary expertise in making authentic Indian fare. They worked tirelessly for days and cooked nearly non-stop all evening so the food would be hot off the griddle. Gabi Schafer helped Bonnie with the set-up and decorations even tho she was unable to attend the party due to another engagement. Thanks, also to Barbara Boland for the heavenly creampuffs and to Roger Henry for bar-tending and assisting Barbara with the food prep. We really appreciate Beverly Norton Walker and board member Deborah Coody for sharing their expertise and time by helping Chairman/chef Bob with some of the cooking chores this year. Liquor Mart graciously provided the wine again this year which helped to make our event even more successful. Thank you to everyone who attended and also to those who helped. We were successful in raising a few dollars, but more importantly we wanted to have a good time and a chance to show our supporters that they are really special. Our successes have been achieved because of their willingness to help us in so many ways. Also, thanks Pete and Margo for having the vision to get this organization started. Burp.
Follow-up: Woolsey Wetland Prairie Clean-up. Invasive species removal/trash pick-up.
What an amazing area! For those who slathered on the bug repellent and helped pull up some of the invasive species, thanks for your help. For those unable to be there, you missed quite a treat. Worth noting --- the many killdeer flying about, a good representation of dragonflys and butterflys, several scissortail flycatchers, a flock of ducks, the somewhat elusive grasshopper sparrows, and some really gorgeous wildflowers and nifty native plants not seen in Northwest Arkansas in decades. Thanks, Julie McQuade for organizing the work party and Bruce Shackelford for the enthusiastic and educational crash course on Woolsey's wealth of plants and wildlife! We are so fortunate to have this reclaimed area as part of our enduring green network. This natural area restoration success story will most certainly be a huge draw to Fayetteville.
Follow-up: Arbor Day Scull Creek Trail Clean-up
FNHA's adopted section of Scull Creek Trail was spiffed up on Wednesday, April 22nd, by a group of FNHA members.There are still a few sections of the creek that have log jams from the ice storm debris.
All in all, the litter was not too bad this time, and a couple volunteers planted some annuals in a few spots along the trail. The plants were given to Fayetteville In Bloom, and we offered to help plant them. Thanks to Mike Adelman for organizing the event once again, and special thanks to FNHA member Joyce Richards who arrived with her 14-year old grandson, Sly Richards, who happened to be in town visiting Joyce. Joyce said, "Sly and his brother, Felix, have been helping us clean since Sly was 3 or 4 years old. They like getting in the trenches --- you can really see the results with that kind of work."
This time it paid off for Sly... he won a $50 Pack Rat gift certificate! Trail clean-up participants were entered into a drawing.
Congratulations, Sly, and thanks for helping out!
Follow-up: Fall Clean-up on Scull Creek
Current FNHA Activities
FNHA Named Project Winner by National Arbor Day Foundation
At a two day celebration at Arbor Day Farm, National Arbor Day Foundation headquarters in Nebraska City, Nebraska, FNHA was among the twenty national conservation-minded organizations or individuals winning this year's awards for work inspiring people to plant and celebrate trees. Each year the Arbor Day Award Foundation honors exemplary environmental stewards or tree planters who make a difference around the world by planting trees or through education. Representing FNHA at the Awards Banquet were Chairman Bob Caulk, Vice-Chair Karen Rollet-Crocker and Urban Forestry Coordinator Patti Erwin from the Arkansas Forestry Commission.
"The winners honored this year are doing their part to inspire the next generation of tree planters and conservationists across the
The Foundation has given out Arbor Day awards since it was founded in 1972. Past winners include Wangari Maathai, who also won a Nobel Peace Prize; Chicago Mayor Richard Daly; Stewart Udall, former U.S. Secretary of the Interior; veteran journalist Bill Kurtis; Toyota Motor Company; and the Walt Disney Company.
The 2009 Arbor Day Awards given at the ceremony were:
The Frederick Law Olmstead Award for extraordinary work on a regional level - Robert Thibodeaux, Church Point, Louisiana
The Lawrence Enersen Award for work done on a community level - Michael Hardy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Media Award for outlets that capture the attention and imagination of people - Louisiana Public Broadcasting; and International Society of Arboriculture (2 awards for separate entries)
Rachel Carson Award for providing nature education opportunities for children and families – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; World Forum Foundation, Redmond, Washington
Project Award for a wide range of conservation, tree planting and tree care efforts - Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association, Fayetteville, Arkansas; the Village of Wilmette, Illinois; Reforest the Bluegrass of Lexington Kentucky; the Hardwood Forestry Fund of Reston, Virginia; Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana, Inc.
Education Award for providing excellent educational programs that are models for other to follow - Tacoma High School's Outdoor Academy, Kent, Washington; Kirkwood Junior TreeKeepers of Kirkwood, Missouri
Celebration Award honors schools, communities and state programs that best capture the spirit of the tree-planters holiday - the City of Minneapolis; the City of Olympia, Washington
Good Steward Award for tree planting and conservation efforts on private property - Blue Valley Ranch of Kremmling, Colorado
Lady Bird Johnson Award for roadside beautification effort - The Streetscape Program of Fort Myers Beach, Florida
Promise to the Earth Award gives recognition for sustained commitment and leadership by a corporation that partners with the Arbor Day Foundation on special projects - Allstate Insurance Company; Citi Cards
Recently
►FNHA's adopted section of Scull Creek Trail was spiffed up on Wednesday, April 22nd, by a group of FNHA members.There are still a few sections of the creek that have log jams from the ice storm debris. All in all, the litter was not too bad this time, and a couple volunteers planted some annuals that were given to AIB in a couple spots along the trail. Thanks to Mike Adelman for organizing the event again.
►Pete Heinzelmann and Mike Adelman have been making great progress on their quest to remove the invasive honeysuckle from Brooks-Hummel. If anyone wants to deal with their frustrations by wielding clippers and a machete, contact Pete or Mike and they'll be sure to call you when the next work day is scheduled!
Lift Off!!!!
Isn't she a beauty?
Robert Runyon finished the work on the Underwood-Lindsey Pavilion early in November and we couldn't be more proud. This facility will be the cornerstone of a yet to be determined natural education program for area students and the picnic/gathering place in Mt. Sequoyah Woods.
There was a ceremony at the pavilion where FNHA was presented wih the paperwork for the easement. A trained group will do the annual monitoring for the easement.
* FNHA has completed the second annual monitoring on the city-owned conservation easement on Kessler Mountain.
* Work is continuing on establishing the baseline report for the conservation easement held by FNHA on the Brooks Hummel Nature Reserve.
* FNHA and nine other non-profits were selected by the Home Depot Foundation to submit a final grant application for the 2008 Awards of Excellence for Community Trees. The top prize of $75,000 awarded to a city our size went to Camden, New Jersey this year. It is always an honor for a small organization such as ours to be among the top groups in the country. We'll try again.
* Great trail marking progress has been made by Duane Woltjen in the Brooks Hummel Nature Preserve. There is a lot of new Japanese (non-endemic, invasive) honeysuckle growth that needs to be dealt with, but the trails are usable and awaiting all of you nature enthusiasts. It's a great place to take the kids.
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Green Infrastructure Planning Course Please see Green Infrastructure Planning work info above
One of the early steps toward fulfilling the recently received US Forest Service/Arkansas Forestry Commission pilot study grant entitled Green Infrastructure: Linking Arkansas Communities was taken on behalf of FNHA by Karen Rollet-Crocker and Barbara Boland when they attended a 5-day course on Strategic Conservation Planning using a Green Infrastructure Approach. The course was offered on the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s beautiful rural campus, the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The campus is bounded on one side by the Potomac River and is crisscrossed by miles of trails. The Virginia bluebells were carpeting the forest floor, a family of Bald eagles is nesting near one of the buildings.
The course attendees this spring turned out to be a fairly “green” group representing the conservation interests of the US Fish & Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, US EPA, US Department of Transportation, US Army Corps of Engineers, and a few city and county planners; FNHA was in good company with several other NGOs like “Chicago Wilderness” and “Defenders of Wildlife”. The course defined Green Infrastructure as both the network of natural areas and working lands that constitute the essential fabric that sustains both human and wildlife populations, and then conceptually, as a science-based, long-term, collaborative, organizational strategy for conservation planning at any scale from national to local, regional to landscape. Through lectures, review of case studies, and group projects the attendees were introduced to tools and strategies for developing and implementing the goals, objectives, and progress metrics that a group of stakeholders might envision.
All-in-all the week was an intense, stimulating, and ultimately hope-inspiring introduction to an approach that endeavors to bring the diverse interests of our complex society to bear on the shared need to conserve our many faceted natural heritage. The next step for FNHA is to meet with our grantors to lay out the shape of our work together. The plan will include setting up public forums and educational presentations and will provide ample opportunity for your involvement; I hope you will join in the effort. -Barbara Boland
Other Community Events
TRAIL BUILDING & MAINTENANCE
OUTINGS
Leave No Trace (LNT)
The Ozark Society is in the process of adopting LNT principles. This means that we will be following guidelines to enjoy the out-of-doors while protecting the natural areas and experiences that we cherish. At trailheads, we will begin to discuss the LNT techniques that will help us leave the forests and streams as we find them. Be prepared to spend a few extra minutes for these talks as your price of admission.
The project to extend the Buffalo River Trail will continue this fall. Volunteers from the American Hiking Society will kickoff the effort with work from Oct. 19 to 23. This will be followed. This will be followed by an “alumni” group that will work from Oct. 26 to 30. Project coordinator Ken Smith states that the effort will focus on extending the trail across Spring Creek, about eight miles up the Buffalo River from Hwy. 14. The work crews will camp at Pavilion No. 2 at Buffalo Point. If Ozark Society members want to work for a day or two, they can meet the crews in the evening or early morning at the pavilion. Beginning in November Saturday work for Ozark Society volunteers will begin. To learn details about the project, e-mail Ken Smith at trailsmith1@yahoo.com
For all hikes bring water, lunch, rain gear and wear hiking boots. No pets are allowed. Call the hike coordinator a day or so in advance to check on any last minute changes. Outings Chair, Bob Cross, can be reached at 587-8757 (home) or 466-3077 (cell). For those who want to propose and lead hikes call Bob or send an e-mail to racross@uark.edu Everyone is welcome, whether an Ozark Society member or not.
Saturday, December 19—The Mysterious Round Rocks Bushwhack
Friday, December 25—4th Annual Christmas Day Walk around Lake Wilson
Friday, January 1, 2010--5th Annual New Year's Day Eye-Opener Walk around Lake Fayetteville. We continue our popular tradition of starting the New Year with an outdoor experience, walking around Lake Fayetteville. We will be paying some attention to the springs at the East side of the Lake, as well as looking for bald eagles and other waterfowl. Get the kids and grandkids going in 2010 with a great outdoor experience. Meet in the parking lot by the ball fields near Lewis & Clark, for an 8:30 a.m. start. Tomato and orange juice will be available at 8:00 a.m. to assist slow starters recovering from ringing in the New Year. Total: 5.1 miles, rated Easy to Moderate on paved surfaces and on woodland paths. Call Mike Adelman for details, 571-1488.