our roots
Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association (FNHA) was formed in January 2003 when rumors began to circulate that Mount Sequoyah Woods, a 67 acre natural area in the heart of Fayetteville, was going to be sold by the Western Methodist Assembly. Because of its beauty and accessibility, this forested tract has been a favorite hiking area for many years. In cooperation with the City of Fayetteville, FNHA committed to raising $300,000 (in private donations) of the $1,300,000 selling price. With this agreement in place, the City acquired Mount Sequoyah Woods from the Methodist Assembly, and FNHA followed through on its fundraising commitment.
The community-wide effort to “Save Mount Sequoyah Woods” brought the issue of undeveloped natural spaces to the attention of both private citizens and the business community within Fayetteville, most notably, real estate developers. As a result of our efforts, FNHA became recognized as an effective advocate for healthy green infrastructure, while not being perceived as anti-development.
from acorn
to seedling
FNHA’s mission is to identify and protect Fayetteville’s most significant natural areas. We are not against development. However, we think it is vitally important to preserve the most important natural spaces in our area for the enjoyment of current and future generations. The members of the Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association have contributed over $630,000 to the City of Fayetteville toward the conservation of more than 515 acres of natural areas. We were an important advocate for preservation of the Kessler Mountain Reserve and are committed to raising $300,000 toward this purchase.
Our group also developed an innovative method for identifying and ranking natural areas using a sophisticated GIS mapping system that has won regional and national awards. We completed development of a regional Green Infrastructure Plan, which also won a national award, which an important part of Fayetteville’s City Plan 2030. We worked with the City Parks Department to reclaim about 40 acres of upland prairie (Callie’s Prairie at Lake Fayetteville) on the Butterfield Trail, and improved access to the Brooks-Hummel Nature Reserve. FNHA partnered with the City Environmental Action Committee to get Fayetteville certified as the first National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat® in Arkansas, and established the Founders’ Scholarship Endowment in 2013 to help young residents attend summer naturalist programs.
a mighty oak grows
Our board members
dot neely
Dot Neely was elected to the board in 2011. Dot and husband, Jami Lockhart, have resided in Fayetteville for the better part of the past fifty years. Both graduated from Fayetteville High School in the mid-1970s and in the 1980s completed Geoscience degrees at the UA/Fayetteville. They have a great appreciation for the amenities of living in NW Arkansas and the natural environment, in which they spend spare moments exploring by canoe, mountain bikes, or on foot.
In August 2008, Dot attended the first FNHA Green Infrastructure Planning Project (GIPP) Stakeholders Meeting. She signed on to serve as Scribe for the Project’s Leadership Group Resource Team and in a supportive role as a GIPP GIS Mapping process sounding board, as well as to assist with editing the final draft of the Project report (in progress). She has volunteered time and abilities to the selection of and layout for the 2010 FNHA Founders Fall Fund Raiser invitations, designing the FNHA Scholarship Gift Card for the Alternate Gift Market, and preparing Green Infrastructure signage for the Fayetteville Trail System. Dot accepted an invitation, extended by Bob Caulk and Duane Woltjen, to participate in monthly FNHA Board meetings, at which she has been in audience since May 2010.
President
andrea fournet
Andrea Fournet moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, in 1993 from Hawaii. She earned her degree in Horticulture and Arboriculture from the University of California, Davis, where she also focused on environmental planning and management. While living in Hawaii, Andrea founded her own landscape contracting business and planted hundreds of trees throughout the islands.
She has a long record of community service, including serving as past president of the Outdoor Circle–Big Island Chapter and as president of Friends for Fayetteville for six years. During her time on the Big Island, she helped organize and publish Majestic II: The Exceptional Trees of Hawaii.
An avid yogi, Andrea founded the Arkansas Yoga and Therapy Center in 1998, combining her deep love of nature, community, and holistic well-being. Her lifelong passion continues to be the protection and preservation of the natural environment.
Vice PresidentSecretarylana harris
Bio pending
nicholle edwards
TreasurerNicholle Edwards is a licensed massage therapist and small business owner who combines passion for wellness with over two decades of financial expertise. Before founding her own therapeutic massage practice, she worked for more than 20 years as a corporate accountant, gaining extensive experience in budgeting, financial management, and organizational planning. Nicholle’s transition from the corporate world to entrepreneurship has deepened her appreciation for community connection and service. Nicholle has lived in Fayetteville since 2021 and would like to help preserve the landscapes and resources that make this town so special.
bob caulk
Founding MemberBob and his wife, Sara, moved to Fayetteville in 2000 after retiring from the petroleum industry. Bob has been on the FNHA Board since 2004, and was elected to the Governing Board as Chairman in the Spring of 2008. He began his current position as Treasurer in 2014. In addition to organizing the first Fall Supporters’ Party, he was part of the team that worked to preserve the Brooks-Hummel Nature Reserve (2007), Kessler Mountain Reserve (2014), heavily involved in both the Urban Forest Conservation Assessment and the Green Infrastructure Planning projects, was on the construction crew that built the kiosks at both entrances to Mt. Sequoyah Woods, and helps with conservation easement monitoring. Bob was a founding member and served as board president of the Beaver Watershed Alliance and currently is on the board of directors. Sara has worked behind the scenes as FNHA’s executive secretary, database manager, newsletter co-editor, and website administrator. Both Bob and Sara have worked on the Lake Fayetteville Prairie Restoration project since its beginning, and continue to be involved in on-going maintenance work.
craig edmonston
Craig has been employed by the University of Arkansas for 42 years. He is currently serving as an Instructor of Recreation and Sports Management in the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation. He previously served as an Assistant Dean for Administration in the College of Education and Health Professions and as the Director of University Recreation. He joined the FNHA Board in 2016. He has served on a variety of boards and committees over the years. Those include the American Heart Association, NWA Humane Society, Fayetteville Civitan, Richardson Center, Arkansas Recreation and Parks, Fayetteville Autumnfest, Hogeye Marathon, Razorback Run, and memberships on many professional associations. Craig is married to Connie Edmonston, the long-time Director of Fayetteville’s Department of Parks and Recreation.
PETE & MARGO HEINZELMANN
FoundersBio pending
BARBARA TAYLOR
Bio pending