Cleanup on Clear Creek
Join us to help clean up a section of Clear Creek in Fayetteville on Friday, March 21st! This cleanup will be led by our volunteer lead, Emily Alkema.
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.
Rain Garden Design Workshop at the Bentonville Public Library
Learn how to design, build, and maintain a rain garden that manages stormwater, supports biodiversity, and improves water quality. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll explore how rain gardens reduce runoff, filter pollutants, and enhance soil health. We’ll cover the essentials of site selection, construction, native plant selection, maintenance strategies, and the principles of ecological landscape design.
Farm Friends
A free and family-friendly, interactive walk-through event will feature farm animals, educational displays, live demonstrations, and so much more!
Volunteer Day at Apple Orchard Detention Pond in Springdale
On Friday April 11th, we will be doing some spring maintenance on a recently naturalized detention pond! Get ready to pull weeds, spread some mulch, and pick up litter to get ready for spring!
Volunteer Event on Spring Creek
Join is for our kickoff volunteer event on Spring Creek! Help us restore this vital waterway by removing invasive plants and replanting with native species to improve habitat and water quality.
No experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm! Gloves and tools will be provided. Wear sturdy shoes and be ready to get your hands dirty for a great cause!
Annual Illinois River Cleanup
Join us across the Illinois River Watershed for our 6th Annual Illinois River Cleanup! We have 15 locations across the watershed that you can volunteer at, offering both land and water-based cleanups!
AR Water Webinar Series “Removing Trash from our Waterways”
In this panel discussion about “Removing Trash from our Waterways”, we will hear from several organizations implementing this technology in Arkansas and the messages they are spreading to preserve water quality that is suitable for drinking, agricultural use, and recreation for future generations.
Illinois River Cleanup in Tahlequah
Join the Cherokee Nation and IRWP to cleanup Tahlequah Creek on Wednesday, April 23rd.
Cleanup locations include Felts Park, Peace Pavilion, and Town Branch. There will be a post cleanup cookout at 12:30 pm at the Cherokee National Peace Pavilion.
Prescribed Burn Workshop led by Arkansas Game & Fish Commission
Attend a Prescribed Burn Workshop led by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission at the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center.
Tidy Up Tenkiller
Volunteer for a spring cleaning of Lake Tenkiller on Saturday, May 3rd from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm!
This is the 12th Annual Tidy Up Tenkiller event that the Oklahoma Ozarks Tourism Association has coordinated.
Registrations open on April 11th, 2025!
MultiBasin Happy Hour - Naturals vs. Travelers
Come hang out with us at Arvest Ballpark for a night of baseball, networking, and fun! For just $10, you’ll get to enjoy the game, connect with fellow water and conservation professionals, and support a great cause.
We’ll even get to go down on the field together, where the Naturals will give a shoutout to IRWP and our mission! Proceeds from ticket sales will help us host a Multibasin Regional Water Council event next year.
Everyone who purchases a ticket through us will be seated together. Join the party!
📅 Date: May 22nd, first pitch at 7:05. Gather at 6:35 if you want to go on the field!
📍 Location: Arvest Ballpark
🎟 Tickets: $10 - submit a form below and we will send you an invoice. Tickets can be picked up the week prior in Cave Springs or at will call that day.
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!
2025 AFGC Conference: Improving Forage Management
The 2025 Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council Spring Conference, “Improving Forage Management”, is Friday, March 21 at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center in Fayetteville.
Mount Sequoyah Volunteer Days
On March 14th and 15th, join us at the Mount Sequoyah Retreat Center in Fayetteville to continue the improvement of their newly installed rain garden! From 1-4 pm on both Friday and Saturday, come volunteer to either help with spring maintenance of rain garden or help us plant some native trees!
Volunteer Day at Ozark Natural Science Center in Lake Fayetteville
On March 15th, IRWP will be hosting a rain garden clean-up in coordination with the ONSC volunteer event.
Mount Sequoyah Volunteer Days
On March 14th and 15th, join us at the Mount Sequoyah Retreat Center in Fayetteville to continue the improvement of their newly installed rain garden! From 1-4 pm on both Friday and Saturday, come volunteer to either help with spring maintenance of rain garden or help us plant some native trees!
Rain Garden Spring Maintenance at the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park
On March 7th, join us at the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park for some Spring Maintenance on their newly installed rain gardens near their museum.
Arkansas Gardening School
The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks’ first annual Arkansas Gardening School is a horticultural symposium for beginner home gardeners, featuring expert-led programs by horticulturists, garden designers, and landscape architects. Through illustrated talks and Q&A sessions, participants will learn to create beautiful, sustainable, and successful gardens in the Ozarks.
Volunteer Day at the Sanctuary in Cave Springs
Join IRWP staff to help prep our rain gardens for the spring!
Arkansas Discovery Farms Conference
The Arkansas Discovery Farms Conference highlights advancements in climate smart agriculture.
This two-day event will feature engaging presentations, panel discussions, and opportunities to connect with farmer, industry, and research partners.
Who Should Attend? Producers, researchers, students, and anyone passionate about conservation and agriculture in Arkansas.
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.
Stormwater Subcommittee Meeting
The stormwater subcommittee focuses on stormwater in the Illinois River Watershed. This meeting will include:
Program Updates from the Green Infrastructure Program, and upcoming programs.
A discussion and request for input on other urban stormwater management projects and initiatives.
Volunteer Day at the Sanctuary in Cave Springs
Join IRWP staff for some invasive removal at the sanctuary! This is a family friendly event that is perfect for both beginners with little experience or seasoned experts.
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!