Grassroot Grazing Group Conference
The Grassroots Grazing Group is hosting their annual conference at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center on January 18th, 2025!
This conference is open to the public and those interested in regenerative farming practices like rotational grazing and co-grazing livestock.
Smart Growth for Water Resources Conference
Save the Date for the ‘Smart Growth for Water Resources’ Conference taking place on April 2nd and 3rd, 2025!
This conference is possible due to the many organizations supporting it, so thank you to the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, the Urban Land Institute of NWA, Olsson, the Northwest Arkansas Council, the Beaver Watershed Alliance, the Beaver Water District, and the Illinois River Watershed Partnership.
Annual Illinois River Cleanup
Join us across the Illinois River Watershed for our 6th Annual River Cleanup!
Bats & Bluegrass Festival
Join us at our Sanctuary in Cave Springs for Bats and Bluegrass on July 19, 2025!
There will be live music, food trucks, educational booths, nature hikes, and more!
NWA Nature Network Holiday Happy Hour
All Conservation and Environmental Education partners are welcome to attend the NWA Nature Network Holiday Happy Hour on December 9th at the Kessler Mountain Nature Center. Thanks to NWALT for co-hosting this event with ONSC.
1725 Smoke House Trail, Fayetteville AR 72701
Drinks and snacks will be provided
Christmas in Cave Springs
Join us for Christmas in Cave Springs on December 7th from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm for holidays festivities, crafts, and even a special appearance from the Grinch himself!
Cave Springs Sanctuary Volunteer Day
Join us for a volunteer day at our sanctuary in Cave Springs on Friday, November 22nd from 2:00 - 4:00 pm!
Sarah Alvey and Taylor Hills will be leading an invasive removal workshop. Since the ground is soft from the rain, it is a perfect time to pull some shallow rooted shrubs like Chinese privet or bush honeysuckle.
Chamber Springs Cleanup
Join us to help keep the Chamber Springs Public Access litter-free to improve the water quality of the Illinois River Watershed. This cleanup is a special one in honor of a young steward who wanted to have a cleanup for her birthday party, we are so happy to see this passion for improving their local environment!
Insect Festival of Arkansas
The Illinois River Watershed Partnership is attending the Insect Festival of Arkansas at the Washington County Fairgrounds on Saturday, November 5th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Science Night at Ivory Bill Brewery
The Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP) is excited to host Science Hour at the Ivory Bill Brewery in Siloam Springs on Saturday, November 2nd. Join us to learn about our water quality assessments being done on Sager Creek in Siloam Springs!
Mount Sequoyah Public Planting
The Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP) is excited to partner with Mt. Sequoyah to bring a large-scale green infrastructure project to the Mt. Sequoyah Center, and we need your help to make it happen! This initiative will improve stormwater management and water quality while enhancing the natural beauty of the area.
Stormwater Subcommittee Meeting - Mount Sequoyah Field Tour
With support from the City of Fayetteville, IRWP, and Mount Sequoyah we have partnered with FlowState LLC to implement stormwater management practices on their campus. This project will not only help manage runoff and enhance the landscape but will also feature a series of velocity-reducing drop structures and showcase some rare native species. We will start with introductions, followed by a walking tour of the project to discuss the approach to long-term maintenance, answer questions, and network. This event is open to the public. Please RSVP.
Native Plants & Pints: Landscape Design for Water Quality
The Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP) is excited to host a 'Native Plants & Pints: Landscape Design for Water Quality' at the Ivory Bill Brewery in Siloam Springs on Saturday, October 12th. Join us to learn about rain gardens, native plant species, and other green infrastructure practices while enjoying local brews!
Pick Up Where You Play Cleanup at Scull Creek in Fayetteville
IRWP and Fossil Cove Brewing Co. are hosting a cleanup along Scull Creek in Fayetteville for Pick Up Where You Play.
Pick Up Where You Play Cleanup at Sager Creek in Siloam Springs
IRWP and Love Siloam are hosting a cleanup along Sager Creek in Siloam Springs for Pick Up Where You Play.
Pick Up Where You Play Cleanup at Spring Creek in Springdale
IRWP and Love Siloam are hosting a cleanup along Spring Creek in Springdale for Pick Up Where You Play.
Eastern Screech Owl Release
We welcome the public to join us as we watch three Eastern Screech Owls from the Northsong Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center be released into our sanctuary in Cave Springs.
Pick Up Where You Play Cleanup at Lake Fayetteville
Pick Up Where You Play is hosting a cleanup at Lake Fayetteville.
Planting at Springdale Detention Pond
In partnership with the city of Springdale, we will be installing 5,000 native plants for a detention pond naturalization. It is a great chance to get familiar with Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development methods!
Pick Up Where You Play Cleanup at Osage Creek in Rogers
Pick Up Where You Play is hosting a cleanup along Lee Creek at Devil’s Den State Park.
Volunteer Day at Ozark Natural Science Center in Lake Fayetteville
In partnership with Ozark Natural Science Center, the Illinois River Watershed Partnership will be installing 1,500 native plants and shrubs in two rain gardens.
Upper Illinois River Conservation-Based Master Plan Public Meeting
Public Input Meeting for the Upper Illinois River Conservation-Based Master Plan - share your thoughts on the future of river access along Osage Creek and the Upper Illinois River.
Springdale Volunteer Day
In partnership with the city of Springdale, we will be installing 5,000 native plants for a detention pond naturalization. It is a great chance to get familiar with Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development methods!
Chamber Springs Cleanup
Join us to help keep the Chamber Springs Public Access litter-free to improve the water quality of the Illinois River Watershed.
Naturals Baseball Game - IRWP Night at Arvest Ballpark
Support the Illinois River Watershed Partnership and enjoy an evening of community at the ballpark as the Naturals take on the Frisco RoughRiders.
Half of the proceeds from ticket sales go directly to IRWP's mission to improve the integrity of the Illinois River. All tickets sold through IRWP will be seated together, so you can mingle with our staff and enjoy time networking with other partner organizations. Submit the form below, and we will reach out to collect payment for the tickets. Pick up your tickets from the IRWP office by appointment or at will call on game day. Don't miss this chance to support a great cause and enjoy a night to remember!
Gates open at 6:00 pm and the first pitch is thrown at 7:05 pm.
$12 each for 1-3 tickets
$10 each for 3+ tickets
Arkansas Water Webinar Series: War Eagle Barrier Removals, Restoration, and Mussel Ecology in Arkansas
The next Water Webinar is hosted by the Beaver Watershed Alliance, and this webinar is focused on War Eagle Creek, river restoration, and mussel ecology. AGFC Stream Habitat Coordinator Sean Saunders will join us to speak about the restoration details of the project, as well as the benefits of barrier removals and stream restoration. AGFC Malacologist, Dr. Kendall Moles, will also join us to discuss the ecology of mussels and the work done at the War Eagle restoration sites to collect over 2,000 mussels.
Chamber Springs Cleanup
Join us to help keep the Chamber Springs Public Access litter-free to improve the water quality of the Illinois River Watershed.
Bats & Bluegrass Festival
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED! THIS IS A SOLD OUT EVENT!
We are thrilled to announce that the Bats and Bluegrass Festival is officially sold out! Your incredible support means the world to us. Don't miss out on early announcements for Bats and Bluegrass Festival 2025—sign up for our newsletter today!.
One of the highlights of the evening will be Greenland Station Bluegrass Band, stationed right by our cave, ready to fill the air with toe-tapping folk tunes that'll have both people and bats dancing the night away!
Receive an IRWP T-Shirt with Donations of $50 or more! Help support our mission and get an iconic reminder of your contribution.
Save the Date for Bats and Bluegrass at the Watershed Sanctuary in Cave Springs. Join us for a day filled with fun activities, delicious food and smells from food trucks, creative flora and fauna-themed face painting, live bluegrass music, engaging educational booths and stations, an exciting scavenger hunt, and the spectacular sight of bats emerging from Cave Springs Cave!
Donation Details
Entry: $10 per person, $30 per family
Donation package for donors giving $50+
Support our fundraising goals and promote awareness of IRWP
.LET US KNOW YOU ARE COMING
Register Below
Event Schedule:
4:30 PM - 8:00 PM: Food Trucks Open
5:30 PM: First Round of Sessions Begins
6:30 PM: Second Round of Sessions Begins
7:15 PM: Programming Begins @ Music Tent
7:30 PM: Greenland Station Bluegrass
9:00 PM: Dusk, Close
Breakout Sessions: (Workshops are repeated at 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM)
Workshop 1: Ozark Music History with Charley Sandage, Bluegrass Historian
Meeting point: Registration Table, to walk across the street; session is in the Watershed Learning Center
Leader: Sarah Alvey
Workshop 2: Nature Hike with Annie Sales, IRWP Green Infrastructure Program Manager
Meeting point: Music Tent
Leader: Annie
Workshop 3: Caving Demonstration with Boston Mountain Grotto
Meeting point: Boston Mountain Grotto’s Tent Near Cave Entrance
Leader: Corey Maize
Workshop 4: Nature Journaling with Morgan Keeling, IRWP Associate Director
Meeting point: Green Roof Pavilion
Leader: Morgan
2024 Arkansas Agriculture, Forests, and Water Conference
Join us for the 2024 Arkansas Agriculture, Forests, and Water Conference!
Volunteer Day at the Lake Sanctuary in Cave Springs
Join us to help remove invasive plant species at our Lake Sanctuary in Cave Springs!
Chamber Springs Cleanup
Join us to help keep the Chamber Springs Public Access litter-free to improve the water quality of the Illinois River Watershed.
Chamber Springs Cleanup
Join us to help keep the Chamber Springs Public Access litter-free to improve the water quality of the Illinois River Watershed.
FINAL INPUT MEETING for the Illinois River Watershed Management Plan - Arkansas
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division, in partnership with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC), has scheduled the final public meetings to update the watershed-based management plan for the Illinois River Watershed.
The Illinois River and its tributaries have a variety of uses set forth by the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission, including fisheries, recreation, drinking water supply, and agricultural and industrial water supply. The goal of this watershed-based plan is to protect and improve water quality in streams and other waterbodies by addressing non-regulatory issues through voluntary activities or practices.
This is in-person and virtual. Call-in details: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81769907371?pwd=JeYsLLjaDXkPWr05AvRoMLsAPNvKZP.1 Meeting ID: 817 6990 7371, Passcode: 474269
“We greatly appreciate the overwhelming turnout of nearly 100 stakeholders for the third meeting in August,” said Tate Wentz, Arkansas Natural Resources Division Water Quality Section Manager. “The final meetings will focus on review of the watershed-based management process, watershed modeling results, and anticipated outcomes of conservation practice implementation. We will continue to accept input from stakeholders about conservation practices, so it is critical for anyone interested to attend and share input to guide resource allocations to improve water quality into the future.”
The meetings are open to the public and representatives from Arkansas and Oklahoma will provide an overview of the watershed management planning process. Stakeholders will hear from representatives on water quality model outputs and conservation practices to improve local water quality.
The meetings are set for June 25, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Tahlequah, Oklahoma at the Armory at 100 North Water Avenue and on June 26, 2024 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Illinois River Watershed Partnership Watershed Sanctuary at 221 South Main Street, Cave Springs, Arkansas.
For more information about the meeting, contact Tate Wentz at tate.wentz@agriculture.arkansas.gov.
Participants are encouraged to attend in person.
No RSVP required.
FINAL INPUT MEETING for the Illinois River Watershed Management Plan - Oklahoma
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Division, in partnership with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC), has scheduled the final public meetings to update the watershed-based management plan for the Illinois River Watershed.
The Illinois River and its tributaries have a variety of uses set forth by the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission, including fisheries, recreation, drinking water supply, and agricultural and industrial water supply. The goal of this watershed-based plan is to protect and improve water quality in streams and other waterbodies by addressing non-regulatory issues through voluntary activities or practices.
This is in-person and virtual. Call-in details: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81769907371?pwd=JeYsLLjaDXkPWr05AvRoMLsAPNvKZP.1 Meeting ID: 817 6990 7371, Passcode: 474269
“We greatly appreciate the overwhelming turnout of nearly 100 stakeholders for the third meeting in August,” said Tate Wentz, Arkansas Natural Resources Division Water Quality Section Manager. “The final meetings will focus on review of the watershed-based management process, watershed modeling results, and anticipated outcomes of conservation practice implementation. We will continue to accept input from stakeholders about conservation practices, so it is critical for anyone interested to attend and share input to guide resource allocations to improve water quality into the future.”
The meetings are open to the public and representatives from Arkansas and Oklahoma will provide an overview of the watershed management planning process. Stakeholders will hear from representatives on water quality model outputs and conservation practices to improve local water quality.
The meetings are set for June 25, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Tahlequah, Oklahoma at the Armory at 100 North Water Avenue and on June 26, 2024 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Illinois River Watershed Partnership Watershed Sanctuary at 221 South Main Street, Cave Springs, Arkansas.
For more information about the meeting, contact Tate Wentz at tate.wentz@agriculture.arkansas.gov.
Participants are encouraged to attend in person.
No RSVP required.