Northwest Arkansas Land Trust Earns National Recognition for Conservation Excellence
Northwest Arkansas Land Trust Earns National Recognition for Conservation Excellence
Renewed accreditation affirms long-term protection of cherished Northwest Arkansas landscapes
FAYETTEVILLE, AR — [JANUARY 16, 2025] — As Northwest Arkansas continues to grow at one of the fastest rates in the country, residents across the region share a deep appreciation for the hills, rivers, forests, and open spaces that make this place home. Since 2003, the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust (NWALT) has worked to safeguard those landscapes for future generations. Today, NWALT announced it has renewed its national land trust accreditation, reaffirming that the organization meets the highest standards for ethics, stewardship, and permanent land conservation.
“Renewing our accreditation shows NWALT’s ongoing commitment to protecting the landscapes that define Northwest Arkansas,” said Grady Spann, CEO of NWALT. “This rigorous process makes our organization stronger and ensures that special places—like Flint Creek Headwaters Preserve, Kessler Mountain, and Lake Frances—will remain protected forever. These natural areas are part of what makes Northwest Arkansas such an exceptional place to live, work, and explore.”
Accreditation is awarded by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, a national authority that evaluates land trusts on responsible governance, sound finances, and lasting conservation outcomes. To achieve renewal, NWALT submitted extensive documentation and underwent a thorough third-party review. The renewed accreditation demonstrates the Commission’s confidence that the lands entrusted to NWALT will be protected in perpetuity.
Across the country, more than 450 accredited land trusts collectively steward over 20 million acres—an area equal to several of America’s iconic national parks combined. Here in Northwest Arkansas, NWALT has permanently protected 9,625 acres, including beloved public lands such as Wilson Springs, Betty Hinshaw Bird Sanctuary, and Lake Frances, and thousands of acres of working farms, forests, and natural habitats privately owned by local families.
“We are proud to recognize NWALT’s continued commitment to conservation excellence,” said Melissa Kalvestrand, executive director of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. “The accreditation seal is a mark of distinction that stands for trust, rigor, and permanence. Organizations like NWALT play a vital role in safeguarding the natural character of their regions and inspiring confidence in the communities they serve.”
NWALT is one of 1,281 land trusts nationwide, according to the Land Trust Alliance’s most recent National Land Trust Census. As the only local and accredited land trust serving Northwest Arkansas, NWALT remains dedicated to ensuring that the forests, waterways, wildlife habitats, and scenic vistas of Northwest Arkansas endure for generations to come.
