Since its formation in 1962, the Ozark Society has played a leadership
role in these landmark conservation achievements:
Led the campaign to save the Buffalo River from dams through creation of the nation's
first "national river" in 1972, the Buffalo National River, administered by the
National Park Service. The Society maintains a close liaison with Buffalo National River
personnel.
Organized effort to create Arkansas' first two USFS wilderness areas, Caney Creek and
Upper Buffalo (1975), and helped the Arkansas Conservation Coalition's Wilderness Task
Force pass the federal Arkansas Wilderness Act of 1984. Today, the Society cooperates with
the USFS on wilderness education programs.
Led numerous successful campaigns to stop federal dam projects proposed for outstanding
scenic and recreational waterways in the four-state area, including the Saline,
Strawberry, Cadron, Meramec and Eleven Point.
Promoted creation of the Department of Arkansas Heritage. This agency oversees six state
entities, including the Natural Heritage Commission, which manages a system of natural
areas protecting unique ecosystems and protects wild and scenic rivers.
Favors utilization of the Arkansas River and existing reservoirs, federal and
other-wise, as alternatives to building new water supply dams on scenic waterways that
have high value for multiple uses, including recreation.
Missouri members helped stop dams on the Eleven Point and Meramec rivers and continue to
champion protection of scenic rivers, natural areas, and wilderness on public lands.
Louisiana members led construction of the Athens-Big Fork Trail in the Ouachita National
Forest, and conducts annual white-water canoe clinics in Louisiana and Arkansas. They
oppose channelization of the lower Ouachita River.
Oklahoma members led the successful fight to enact the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Act,
protect the Illinois River, native tallgrass prairie lands, and create wilderness areas in
the Ouachita National Forest.
The Society is a charter member of the Arkansas Conservation Coalition, where the
leadership of major conservation organizations work together to resolve issues of mutual
interest.
In 1992, the Society was instrumental in passage of the federal Arkansas Wild and Scenic
Rivers Act, introduced by Sen. Dale Bumpers and supported by Sen. David Pryor and Rep.
John Paul Hammerschmidt. The Act protects eight rivers and/or river segments in Arkansas'
Ozark and Ouachita national forests by adding them to the National Wild and Scenic River
System.
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