Highlands Chapter Family Friendly Dayhike:  Wilson Springs Preserve

Location:  Wilson Springs Preserve, near Sam’s Club, Fayetteville AR

Date:  March 28, 2026

Hiking Distance:  2.0 miles

Elevation gain:  Negligible

Rating:  Easy

Hike Leader:  Shari Withey

Contact Information:  willowbendgarden@aol.com  or 479-442-6511

Features:  There are approximately 2 miles of walking trails. Because of its unique habitat types, the preserve is very wet during early spring and is closed February.  The trails take visitors through a matrix of habitat types including oak savanna, tallgrass prairie, and wetlands.  Because of the sensitivity of these habitats, no dogs are allowed in the preserve.

Meeting Time and Place:  Saturday, March 28, 2026

• Meet at the south side of the Sam’s Club Parking lot (3081 N, AR-112, Fayetteville, AR 72704) in Fayetteville until you see the trail head sign…or a group of hikers.  The hike will last about 1.5 hours.
• For Google Map to trailhead see:  Wilson Springs Nature Preserve – Google Maps

Comment:  Bring water, snack, lunch, rain gear, gloves, and wear hiking boots/shoes.  Hiking poles may be helpful.  No pets are allowed on any hikes.  Participants are required to sign a liability release at the trailhead to take part in any Ozark Society outing.  Everyone is welcome to hike with the OSHC, whether an Ozark Society member or not.

http://www.ozarksociety.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/OS-Sign-Up_Sheet

Host Organizations — Keep Little Rock Beautiful, Friends of Fourche Creek

Location – 3900 S Arch St, Little Rock

Times – 9 am – 1 pm

Land and water cleanup!

Contact – fofcinfo@gmail.com

Bring – litter grabber, reusable water bottle, boat and life vest

Wear – sturdy, closed-toed shoes; cap; gloves

Buffalo River Management Plan 

Sugar Creek Chapter will be offering wildflower walks again this April. The walks will all start at 10 am at various locations in NWA. All wildflower enthusiasts are welcome. It is a slow paced discovery walk with all participants contributing identification information. Come prepared to learn and share.

Walks will be 1.5 to 2 hours. Participants should bring water and a snack.

April 1  Withrow Springs Dogwood Trail, Withrow Springs State Park, Pavillion on Hwy 23, Huntsville, AR 72740. Leader: Peggy Bulla

April 8 Sic A More Trailhead, 13467 Lookout Dr.,Bella Vista, AR 72714 Packed gravel multipurpose trail with rock ledges descent and return into a hollow. Leaders: Lowell Collins & Daryl Boles

April 11 – Smith Creek Preserve, AR-21 south, Boxley Valley, Leader Sue Mabry. This is an Ozark Society Highlands Chapter hike. An announcement will be forthcoming from OSHC with more details.

April 11 – Big Sugar State Park,  6727 Big Sugar Creek Road, Pineville, MO.  This is an Ozark Chapter Arkansas Native Plant Society, ONPS, walk led by Fred Paillet and Sue Hubbard, both Ozark Society members,  Meet at the park at 10 am. More details on the facebook page for Ozark Chapter Arkansas Native Plant Society.

April 15 10 am  Sinking Stream Trailhead, Hobbs State Park, AR-12, Rogers AR. Flat gravel trail that can be wet.  Leaders: Cathy Ross and Ellen Turner

April 22 TBA

Women are invited to join in the weekly Wednesdays hikes at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, led by park interpreters! For access to the hike-of-the-week gathering time and place, join the Pinnacle Mountain WW group on Facebook or call the park office at (501) 868-5806. The hiking times vary per season.

The Sugar Creek Chapter is partnering with the Nature Conservancy at the Logan Springs Preserve at Logan Community in southern Benton County. We are going to have a work day, picnic and hike on April 3 at 9:30. We will help with invasive plant removal and then enjoy lunch by the spring.

See Special Meeting for March 3, 2026 at Ron Robinson Theater

Monthly meetings of the Pulaski Chapter are on the first Tuesday of the month, except no meeting in July.  Most meetings are held at Second Presbyterian Church at 7pm in a classroom on the east side of the building.  The September meeting is a potluck usually held at Pinnacle Mountain State Park at the large pavilion on the Maumelle River and the December meeting is a potluck held at a member home.

Sugar Creek Chapter will be offering wildflower walks again this April. The walks will all start at 10 am at various locations in NWA. All wildflower enthusiasts are welcome. It is a slow paced discovery walk with all participants contributing identification information. Come prepared to learn and share.

Walks will be 1.5 to 2 hours. Participants should bring water and a snack.

April 1  Withrow Springs Dogwood Trail, Withrow Springs State Park, Pavillion on Hwy 23, Huntsville, AR 72740. Leader: Peggy Bulla

April 8 Sic A More Trailhead, 13467 Lookout Dr.,Bella Vista, AR 72714 Packed gravel multipurpose trail with rock ledges descent and return into a hollow. Leaders: Lowell Collins & Daryl Boles

April 12 – Smith Creek Preserve, AR-21 south, Boxley Valley, Leader Sue Mabry. This is an Ozark Society Highlands Chapter hike. An announcement will be forthcoming from OSHC with more details.

April 11 – Big Sugar State Park,  6727 Big Sugar Creek Road, Pineville, MO.  This is an Ozark Chapter Arkansas Native Plant Society, ONPS, walk led by Fred Paillet and Sue Hubbard, both Ozark Society members,  Meet at the park at 10 am. More details on the facebook page for Ozark Chapter Arkansas Native Plant Society.

April 15 10 am  Sinking Stream Trailhead, Hobbs State Park, AR-12, Rogers AR. Flat gravel trail that can be wet.  Leaders: Cathy Ross and Ellen Turner

April 22 TBA

Women are invited to join in the weekly Wednesdays hikes at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, led by park interpreters! For access to the hike-of-the-week gathering time and place, join the Pinnacle Mountain WW group on Facebook or call the park office at (501) 868-5806. The hiking times vary per season.

Sugar Creek Chapter will be offering wildflower walks again this April. The walks will all start at 10 am at various locations in NWA. All wildflower enthusiasts are welcome. It is a slow paced discovery walk with all participants contributing identification information. Come prepared to learn and share.

Walks will be 1.5 to 2 hours. Participants should bring water and a snack.

April 1  Withrow Springs Dogwood Trail, Withrow Springs State Park, Pavillion on Hwy 23, Huntsville, AR 72740. Leader: Peggy Bulla

April 8 Sic A More Trailhead, 13467 Lookout Dr.,Bella Vista, AR 72714 Packed gravel multipurpose trail with rock ledges descent and return into a hollow. Leaders: Lowell Collins & Daryl Boles

April 12 – Smith Creek Preserve, AR-21 south, Boxley Valley, Leader Sue Mabry. This is an Ozark Society Highlands Chapter hike. An announcement will be forthcoming from OSHC with more details.

April 11 – Big Sugar State Park,  6727 Big Sugar Creek Road, Pineville, MO.  This is an Ozark Chapter Arkansas Native Plant Society, ONPS, walk led by Fred Paillet and Sue Hubbard, both Ozark Society members,  Meet at the park at 10 am. More details on the facebook page for Ozark Chapter Arkansas Native Plant Society.

April 15 10 am  Sinking Stream Trailhead, Hobbs State Park, AR-12, Rogers AR. Flat gravel trail that can be wet.  Leaders: Cathy Ross and Ellen Turner

April 22 TBA

Women are invited to join in the weekly Wednesdays hikes at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, led by park interpreters! For access to the hike-of-the-week gathering time and place, join the Pinnacle Mountain WW group on Facebook or call the park office at (501) 868-5806. The hiking times vary per season.

Monthly meetings start at 6:30pm and typically have a speaker, a business meeting, event notices, discussion and socializing.  Red River National Wildlife Refuge, 150 Eagle Bend Pt., Bossier City, LA 71112

 Name of Outing: Central Arkansas Water’s Immersive Forest-to-Faucet Tour

Day, Date: Wednesday, April 22 (Earth Day)

Beginning and Ending Time: 8:30-11:30 (12:30 with lunch); We will end the tour West Rock Marina at 11:30. Please bring a brown bag lunch and enjoy a picnic by the lake. 

Type of Activity: Education 

Location: Lake Maumelle Watershed (Exact location TBD closer to event)

Features: Central Arkansas Water is pleased to welcome members and guests of the Ozark Society for an inside look at how we protect the region’s drinking water. During your visit, you’ll explore CAW’s lake and land management practices, from monitoring forests and waterways to addressing invasive species and using data to guide conservation decisions.

You’ll also get a preview of what’s ahead – plans for future lake and trail improvements and the vision for our new Watershed Office and Laboratory, which will support research as well as community education.

OS Contact Person: Mary Heller

Telephone & Email:  macheller60@icloud.com

Meeting Place/Coordinates/Pin:  TBD

What to Bring: Waders or waterproof boots with gaiters, if you have them, otherwise, waterproof boots.  You can still benefit from the tour if you don’t have waterproof footwear, however; brown bag lunch and water 

Cost: Free

After Activity Socializing: Bring a bag lunch and a drink to enjoy by the lake after the tour

Women are invited to join in the weekly Wednesdays hikes at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, led by park interpreters! For access to the hike-of-the-week gathering time and place, join the Pinnacle Mountain WW group on Facebook or call the park office at (501) 868-5806. The hiking times vary per season.

Date of Outing 04/26/2026 Your Name Mary Heller Your Phone 5012475130 Your Email mcherepski@comcast.net Name of Outing Pinnacle Mountain State Park Edible & Medicinal Plants Workshop with Hike to follow presentation. Location of Outing Pinnacle Valley State Park Visitor Center Amphitheater Type of Activity Workshop and Hike Distance TBD Features $15 per person; all ages welcome and you don’t have to be an Ozark Society member to participate!

Women are invited to join in the weekly Wednesdays hikes at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, led by park interpreters! For access to the hike-of-the-week gathering time and place, join the Pinnacle Mountain WW group on Facebook or call the park office at (501) 868-5806. The hiking times vary per season.

Pint Nights are back and the community is looking forward to enjoying some music, pints, and supporting Ozark Society’s Youth Grant Program, an initiative to engage youth in hands-on conservation and environmental activities.  Pint Night will be partnering with local breweries Fossil Cove and Crisis Brewing, Campfire Coffee truck, local musicians, and brands carried at Pack Rat to create a fun family-friendly event for the attendees making donations to the Ozark Society.

How does Pint Night Work? ● Attendees ages 21+ who wish to attend make a suggested minimum donation of $15 and are gifted a beverage cup, two beverage tickets, one food ticket, and a giveaway ticket. Attendees ages 5-20 make a suggested minimum donation of $5 and receive a food ticket and one giveaway ticket. ● Additional opportunities to donate to Ozark Society exist in the form of direct donation, donation of $3 with the gift of an extra giveaway ticket (4 for $10) or the purchase of product from the attending gear sponsor. ● Pack Rat provides music, food, and beverages for participating attendees. An outdoor brand is asked to sponsor and attend the event at which they provide a prize or prizes for giveaway. ● 100% of proceeds go towards the Ozark Society.

See Special Meeting for March 3, 2026 at Ron Robinson Theater

Monthly meetings of the Pulaski Chapter are on the first Tuesday of the month, except no meeting in July.  Most meetings are held at Second Presbyterian Church at 7pm in a classroom on the east side of the building.  The September meeting is a potluck usually held at Pinnacle Mountain State Park at the large pavilion on the Maumelle River and the December meeting is a potluck held at a member home.

Women are invited to join in the weekly Wednesdays hikes at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, led by park interpreters! For access to the hike-of-the-week gathering time and place, join the Pinnacle Mountain WW group on Facebook or call the park office at (501) 868-5806. The hiking times vary per season.

Name of Outing:  Central Arkansas Water (CAW) Ozark Point Watershed Treatment Plant Tour & Picnic Lunch

Day, Date: 10:00,  Wednesday, May 13

Beginning and Ending Time:  Tour: 1.5 hours. optional 30 min walk to to Knoop Park Overlook and picnic lunch

Type of Activity: Educational Tour

Location:  Ozark Point Water Treatment Plant; 701 N Martin, Little Rock

Distance: Optional Knoop Park Trail walk: 1.4 miles on an easy,  paved trail 

Elevation Difference: mostly flat with some stairs

Features:  CAW is excited to have the Ozark Society join us at the historic Ozark Point Water Treatment Plant. This site has played a big role in central Arkansas’s water story, and it’s always great to share it with people who appreciate the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

We’ll kick things off with a relaxed walk around the grounds and historic buildings, then head inside for a look at the treatment plant and lab to see how water service has evolved over the years.

If the weather cooperates, we’ll finish up with a brownbag lunch at Knoop Park, which offers a great view of the Arkansas River and downtown.

Everyone is welcome to attend, whether an Ozark Society member or not.

Leader(s):  OS Contact person: Mary Heller 

Telephone & Email:  macheller60@icloud.com

Meeting Place: Ozark Point Water Treatment Plant:  701 N. Martin,  Little Rock

What to Bring: brown bag lunch, and water; wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes

Cost: free

Toilets:

After Activity Socializing: (Optional) Bring your brown bag lunch and a drink  to picnic at the new park overlook

Women are invited to join in the weekly Wednesdays hikes at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, led by park interpreters! For access to the hike-of-the-week gathering time and place, join the Pinnacle Mountain WW group on Facebook or call the park office at (501) 868-5806. The hiking times vary per season.

Monthly meetings start at 6:30pm and typically have a speaker, a business meeting, event notices, discussion and socializing.  Red River National Wildlife Refuge, 150 Eagle Bend Pt., Bossier City, LA 71112

Women are invited to join in the weekly Wednesdays hikes at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, led by park interpreters! For access to the hike-of-the-week gathering time and place, join the Pinnacle Mountain WW group on Facebook or call the park office at (501) 868-5806. The hiking times vary per season.

Women are invited to join in the weekly Wednesdays hikes at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, led by park interpreters! For access to the hike-of-the-week gathering time and place, join the Pinnacle Mountain WW group on Facebook or call the park office at (501) 868-5806. The hiking times vary per season.