Our board members are critical to the success of the Land Trust and we are thankful for their expertise and leadership! We are excited to begin a series introducing these difference -makers who are helping ensure NWA will always be defined by clean water, fresh air, native habit, a growing supply of locally grown fruits and vegetables, and access to outdoor recreation, all while expanding economic opportunities.
Get to know Rick Spicer...
Rick is a part owner of the Pack Rat Outdoor Center. In addition to working at Pack Rat for over 20 years he has been a climbing instructor and for the last several years has focused on teaching bushcraft and wilderness skills. He is also the Public Waters Chair for Arkansas Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.
How did you get involved with NWALT?
I've been involved with small businesses in Northwest Arkansas for over 20 years and have been an outdoorsman even longer. It's important to me that as our area grows, we maintain wildlife habitat so when approached with the opportunity to be part of NWALT it felt like a natural fit and great opportunity.
Who are your environmental heroes? I have many people that I look up to, but perhaps a few that I revisit often to gain wisdom are the writings of Aldo Leopold, Terry Tempest Williams, and David Peterson.
How do you want to impact Northwest Arkansas Land Trust? I have a varied background in many outdoor endeavors. Everything from Hunting and fishing to rock climbing and adventure racing. I believe I can provide insight and perspective to help balance the interests of multiple user groups while advocating for the need of wild spaces for wildlife to flourish.
What may younger generations not understand about your generation’s concerns about the environment? It's much easier to protect what we already have then to reclaim what has been lost. Both are important but natural spaces are vital to our physical and mental health. In this day and age it takes some people a long time to learn this lesson.
What generational perspectives are missing in today’s conservation movement? When knowledge of our wild spaces is lost then we lose an interface with the landscape and we treat it as something to be used rather than something we are a part of. Native and Indigenous peoples have understood this for centuries. We often don't realize our mistake until we've altered a landscape to the point that it is unrecognizable. Native species, both plant and animal are critical to the health of our community.