Protecting Our Future, Acre by Acre

Well, fall is finally here and that means Acre by Acre is just around the corner! Our annual celebration and fundraiser is one of my favorite times of the year at NWALT. Each October we gather with you to celebrate the work we’ve accomplished together and to honor people and organizations working to conserve our natural heritage in Northwest Arkansas and around the state. This year’s event will be on October 10th, and we’re excited to announce two new awards along with our Conservation Legend- our Partner of the Year and Conservation Stewardship Award.

Acre by Acre stands on three pillars which drives our success in land conservation. First, it’s a celebration which brings our community together to celebrate our accomplishments. As a truly grassroots organization, we don't do this work alone. Our landowners, volunteers, donors, and advocates drive our mission to preserve and enhance the quality of life for everyone through permanent land protection. Your commitment to saving our region’s special places for now and forever is what really keeps us going. It takes all of us, and I am thankful for you placing your trust in NWALT.

Secondly, Acre by Acre is a fundraiser. Land conservation is expensive. There’s no getting around it. It takes money to keep going. Your financial support is critical to ensuring our region’s clean water, outdoor spaces, small farms, wildlife habitat, and sense of place will be around for our children and grandchildren. Like many of you, I look at my kids and grandkids and see our future. And our future deserves a Northwest Arkansas that can enjoy all the benefits our natural resources provide for us today. This year we’ve set an Acre by Acre goal to raise $50,000 to continue this important work. These funds go directly to boots-on-the-ground conservation. From taking care of our staff, to putting new lands into permanent protection, to stewarding lands and keeping our promise of forever- no donation is too small. You keep us in the forever business.

Finally, but most importantly, Acre by Acre is a time to honor organizations and individuals who have made a lasting impact on us and our region. This year we’re excited to honor Terri Lane as our 2024 Arkansas Conservation Legend. Terri led NWALT for 10 years guiding us to national accreditation, helping us save 6,000 acres, and getting permanent land conservation into the public conversation. Terri continues this work as CEO of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation working on statewide conservation initiatives.

This year we’re also recognizing Adventure Subaru as our Partner of the Year. Their partnership in our inaugural year of the Adopt-A-Preserve program was instrumental in gaining business support for our public nature preserves.

Our new Conservation Stewardship Award is going to Jennifer and Isaac Ogle. The Ogles are long-time NWALT supporters and have been instrumental in our habitat restoration work and work by many of our partners around the state. They exemplify what it means to study, teach, restore, and steward our natural areas for the future. You can learn more about all of our honorees here: 2024 Acre by Acre Honorees Announced (nwalandtrust.org)

Acre by Acre is an event, but also a philosophy. Together, we can keep Northwest Arkansas the best place to live, work, and play. Supporters like you are making a real difference in conservation efforts throughout our region. And with your continued support, we’ll continue our work to forever protect the lands which sustain us, one acre at a time. Thanks!