Honoring Conservation Champions: Acre by Acre 2025

Each year, the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust gathers on the north slope of Kessler Mountain for Acre by Acre to celebrate land conservation and the people committed to protecting our natural resources in our region. We are proud to recognize two extraordinary individuals and a business whose dedication to Arkansas’s natural heritage continues to inspire.

Joe Neal – 2025 Arkansas Conservation Legend
A true icon in the world of conservation, Joe Neal of Fayetteville has spent decades advocating for the protection of birds, habitats, and the wild places that define the Ozarks. His work as a naturalist, author, and educator has deepened public understanding of the region’s ecological richness and helped preserve it for future generations. Joe’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of Northwest Arkansas’s conservation story.

Theo Witsell – 2025 Conservation Stewardship Honoree
From Little Rock, Theo Witsell brings unmatched expertise and passion to the stewardship of Arkansas’s natural lands. As a botanist and ecologist, Theo has played a pivotal role in identifying and protecting rare plant communities and ecosystems across the state. His leadership and scientific contributions have elevated conservation efforts and inspired a new generation of land stewards.

Crafton Tull- 2025 NWALT Partner of the Year

Crafton Tull is an employee-owned planning, design, and surveying firm that plays a vital role in shaping the future of Arkansas communities. From designing roads and water systems to creating vibrant parks and trail networks, Crafton Tull is committed to building infrastructure that enhances quality of life and supports sustainable growth. Crafton Tull has contributed to NWALT’s Adopt A Preserve program, Acre by Acre, and has added capacity to the land protection and stewardship teams through the donation of a fleet vehicle.

These honorees embody the spirit of Acre by Acre—working tirelessly to protect the landscapes that make Northwest Arkansas home. Join us on October 16, 2025, at the Historic Ozark Mountain Smokehouse in Fayetteville for an evening of celebration, music, food, and community as we celebrate these Acre by Acre honorees and continue our journey toward conserving 10,000 acres across the region.

Together, we protect what matters most—acre by acre.