Courteau Family Conserves 395 Acres in Madison County for Heritage, Habitat, and H2O

Pam Nelson, Jacqueline Courteau, Dick Courteau, Grady Spann

The Northwest Arkansas Land Trust is proud to announce the permanent protection of 395 acres of ecologically significant land within the Beaver Lake Watershed in Madison County. Thanks to two voluntary conservation easements completed with the Courteau family, the land will remain unspoiled and preserved for future generations as well as contribute to the preservation of the region's drinking water supply and natural heritage.

"We think the land should be preserved and kept for posterity—and that’s what we’re doing," said Dick Courteau. "My favorite parts of the land are the bluffs, the varied altitudes, and the beautiful trees of so very many species. Also, the fauna, the many squirrels and rabbits, foxes and raccoons, the springs, and the wells.”

The Courteau family has a deep connection to this land, having acquired it in 1967. “I decided to protect the land with the NWA Land Trust to leave it unspoiled, for my children and their children. This is a spectacular tract of nature, and I want to hand it down unspoiled," said Courteau.

Over the years, the area became known as Rimrock for the majestic bluffs that rise from the landscape. The land has been cherished by the Courteau family who ran the Rimrock Ranch School of Junior Horsemanship, a summer camp that taught horsemanship to young people.

These conservation easements protect the rich biodiversity and natural beauty of Rimrock and play a critical role in safeguarding the Beaver Lake Watershed, the primary drinking water source for Northwest Arkansas. As the region continues to grow rapidly, the preservation of such lands is vital to maintaining clean water and a healthy ecosystem. NWALT worked with the Beaver Water District in creating the easements to benefit the area.

“Beaver Water District is proud to support the conservation of Rimrock Ranch and many other properties just like it that NWALT has worked so tirelessly to preserve. The connection between conserved land and water quality are clear and we are trying to help prioritize and conserve the best of what is left in the watershed to ensure a clean and reliable source of drinking water for current and future generations of Northwest Arkansans.”

According to Grady Spann, Executive Director of the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust, "This project exemplifies our mission to protect the land we love, and we are grateful for the Courteau family's commitment to conservation. The protection of Rimrock is a significant step toward ensuring the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the Beaver Lake Watershed are maintained for years to come. We’re honored to work with the Courteau family to ensure that Rimrock remains a sanctuary for wildlife and a legacy for future generations."