Landowners Protect Scenic Riverfront Property Along  Middle Fork

NWALT is excited to announce the permanent protection of a beautiful 45-acre property near the headwaters of the Middle Fork of the White River in Hazel Valley. This stretch of land includes over 1,100 feet of stream and forested riparian areas that help protect the water quality of Beaver Lake—our region’s primary drinking water source.

The property lies within NWALT’s Middle Fork Priority Area and offers scenic views for paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts enjoying the river. Thanks to a conservation easement, the land will remain undeveloped and continue to support wildlife habitat and clean water for generations to come.

Local artist Don House and his partner Sabine Schmidt worked with NWALT to conserve the land. “Helping protect the water quality of the Middle Fork is a major motivation for us,” House said. “The springs on the property and the rugged and forested areas offer wildlife habitat that is being lost in so many other areas. The Land Trust staff are professional and easy to work with. It is a way that we, as landowners, can help guarantee that what makes us love Northwest Arkansas, will remain for our children and grandchildren and beyond.”

This project was made possible through funding from Beaver Water District, a grant from the EPA’s 319 program, and an individual long-term stewardship fund donor. It’s another step forward in protecting the places that make Northwest Arkansas special.