The Northwest Arkansas Land Trust (NWALT) is excited to announce a significant conservation easement with landowner Bob Breeze in southern Washington County. The 130-acre property, situated east of I-49 and adjacent to the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, is within NWALT’s Boston Mountain Wildlife Corridor priority area, a critical area for the movement of wildlife under I-49.
The property features over 3,700 feet of stream including two main tributaries and several springs. These streams are part of the Upper Frog Bayou watershed and flow into Lake Fort Smith, a source of drinking water to over 200,000 residents in the Fort Smith area. The property is mostly oak-hickory forest and includes east, north, and southwest facing slopes, with multiple rock outcroppings and caves creating a variety of microclimates and habitat types.
“It is in a very wild and native condition since my parents never really made any changes to it while they owned it. I love the elevation changes, the diversity of the flora and fauna, and the major attraction is the string of waterfalls and pools that are spring fed. They start small, but by the last one, there’s a 20-foot waterfall with a swimming pool-sized swimming hole there,” said property owner, Bob Breeze.
One of the property’s notable benefits is the preservation of scenic views along Highway 71, further enhancing its scenic value.
“The diverse wildlife and terrain made it very obvious that it needed protection from development,” said Breeze. “The northwest portion of Arkansas is under a lot of pressure to develop, which will create pressure for suburban sprawl to the south of the Fayetteville area. Having conservation easements in place will help to minimize those intrusions in this section of the Ozarks.”
“We are so thankful to Bob for creating a land legacy that will stand the test of time. Bob’s commitment to permanent land protection ensures a future where clean water, fresh air, access to outdoor recreation, and locally grown fruits and vegetables remain an integral part of everyday life in Northwest Arkansas,” said Grady Spann, Executive Director of NWALT. Breeze Bluffs is an important next step in our #10K4NWA goal of reaching 10,000 acres of land under permanent protection in Northwest Arkansas.
Breeze Bluffs is NWALT’s 44th protected property and takes the total acres protected by NWALT to 7,495.
About 10K4NWA
10K4NWA is the name of the Land Trust’s effort to reach the milestone of 10,000 acres of land under permanent protection in Northwest Arkansas. The Land Trust permanently protects 7,495 acres of land across 44 properties in our region.
About the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust
The Northwest Arkansas Land Trust is the region’s first local and accredited land trust dedicated to enhancing the quality of life through permanent land protection. By holding and managing donated land and providing conservation easement services, the Land Trust protects water quality, local farms, wildlife habitats, and places for outdoor recreation while enhancing the quality of life for today and future generations. The service area of the Land Trust includes 13 counties in Northwest Arkansas, with a core focus on Benton, Washington, Madison, and Carroll counties. For more information, visit the land trust’s website at www.nwalandtrust.org.
