Calendar

OSHC Members and Friends,

The Highlands Chapter of The Ozark Society will meet Thursday, April 10th, at First United Presbyterian Church, Upper Witherspoon Hall in Fayetteville, snacks and social time from 6:30-7:00 PM with the meeting starting at 7:00 PM.

First order of business will be to take nominations for OSHC president and secretary.  Voting will be held at the May meeting.

We will move along quickly to our program presented by Sandi Formica, co-founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Watershed Conservation Resource Center (WCRC).

MEETING DETAILS

WHEN:  Thursday, April 10th, 2025

6:30 pm – Social Time

7:00  pm – Nominations & Program

WHERE:  First United Presbyterian Church, Upper Witherspoon Hall

695 E. Calvin Street, Fayetteville, AR 72703

Google Map to Whitherspoon Hall;  Click on  “Location” below.

SPEAKER:  Sandi Formica, Executive Director 

Watershed Conservation Resource Center (WCRC)

In Fayetteville if you’ve been to The Ramble or noticed conservation improvements in Tanglewood Branch and Brush Creek or seen Coler Creek lately in Bentonville, you are seeing restorations by the WCRC.  Formica will show slides of the vision for River Commons and River Coalition, current projects.

WCRC is committed to securing funding, working with multiple land owners and achieving broad community support for designing and implementing stream restorations for beauty and the protection of natural resources and water quality.  Hope you will plan to attend this meeting.

Coffee, including decaf, hot teas and water will be available

Looking forward to seeing you soon. 

Peggy Bulla

OSHC Vice-Chair

(479) 586-2493

13^th Annual Highlands’ Buffalo River Classic & Ozark Society General Meeting at Ozark Campground, Buffalo National River on 4/12/25!

 
Hike     Cookout      Float       Camp    

The Ozark Society Spring General Membership meeting is being hosted this year by the Buffalo River Chapter and is being combined with the Highlands Chapter’s Annual Buffalo River Classic.  This should be a wonderful, fun event with all your Ozark Society friends.  Hope to see you there!!

Date:  April 12, 2025

Place:  Ozark Campground on the Buffalo National River

Directions to Ozark Campground

• Coming from the South:  From Jasper AR, follow AR Hwy 7 north 4 miles until you see a NPS brown sign with “Ozark” on it.  Turn left (west) and follow the gravel road for 1.5 miles to the Ozark Campground.
• Coming from the North:  From Harrison AR, follow AR Hwy 7 south 15 miles (or, 1.7 mi past the BR Bridge at Pruitt) until you see a NPS brown sign with “Ozark” on it.  Turn right (west) and follow the gravel road for 1.5 miles to the Ozark Campground.
• Google Map to Ozark Campground:  Click on “Location” below.

There are a number of cabin or motel rentals in the area.  Jasper AR (6 mi south), Harrison AR (16 mi north), or Ponca AR (20 mi west).

The Ozark Campground has 31 campsites available on a first come, first served basis. $20 per night. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern hook.  RVs allowed, but the campground has no hookups and no dump station.  Check-In: 1:00 pm  Check-Out: 12:00 pm   Quiet hours are from 10:00 pm – 6:00 am.   Hammocks are prohibited from developed campgrounds and cannot be tied to trees. Self-standing hammocks are allowed.    Small critters visit our campgrounds so please keep your food and garbage in a proper garbage receptacle, vehicle, or hanging far out of reach.

We are asking for volunteers for the following activities. See list below for contact info:

Grill cooks:  You will be cooking hamburgers and hot dogs on grills at the pavilion.

Dinner Set-up:  Need to be available at 3:00 p.m. to unload, set the tables and organize the potluck contributions.

Clean-up after dinner:  including getting rid of the trash into the dumpster, wiping and folding the tablecloths, load truck, etc.

Float on the Buffalo River:

Contact:  Don Bridges: gofigure243@hotmail.com to sign up for the float trip.

All participants in the hikes and the float are required to sign a “liability release” at the trailhead or float launch site.

Hike Options:

Contact Kris McMillen krismcmillen7@gmail.com or text to 501-984-3774 to sign up for a hike and indicate which hike you want to join (#1, #2, or #3). We’re just trying to get an idea of how many on each hike.

Hike Leaders:  Kris McMillen, Judi Nail, Sue Mabry

Meeting Place and Time: the Ozark Campground pavilion in the Buffalo National River Park at 9:45 a.m.  THE HIKES WILL BEGIN AT 10:00 A.M.

• Buffalo River Trail from Ozark Campground to Pruitt Trailhead-out and back—5.2 miles Round Trip—moderate to difficult
• Buffalo River Trail from Ozark Campground to Cedar Glade Picnic Area-out and back—3.4 miles Round Trip—moderate
• Buffalo River Trail from Cedar Glade Picnic Area to Adair Cemetery-out and back—5.4 miles Round Trip—moderate to difficult

For all hikes please bring lunch, water, snacks, hiking boots/shoes, proper clothing for the temps/conditions.  Bring your own first aid supplies, bug spray, sunscreen or whatever you need for the day.  No pets are allowed on the Buffalo River Trail. Children under 12 years are discouraged and must be accompanied by a guardian.  All participants in the hikes and the float are required to sign a “liability release” at the trailhead or float launch site.

Cookout and Potluck:

Contact Chris Kline (picnic/event coordinator): 479-409-0394 or ckline901@gmail.com to sign up for the evening meal.  Please state vegetarian option (veggie burger) if applicable and/or if you need gluten-free bun.

We will need a head count to purchase the food. 

Meeting Place and Time:  Ozark Campground Pavilion at 4:00 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to join in the cookout whether or not you participate in the hikes or the float trip.

Hamburgers, Veggie burgers and hot dogs provided by the Ozark Society and the two Chapters.  Please bring a potluck side dish—whatever you would like to contribute.  For example:  potato salad, beans, chips, dips, salads, desserts, fruit or whatever you like.

BRING YOUR OWN FLATWARE, PLATE, BOWL & CUP.  Let’s keep it green!  Seating may be limited at the picnic tables; please bring a chair.

Please sign up for all events by April 9, 2025.

Contact  Information:

Tom Perry, OSHC Chair, 479-841-2414 or tomperry106@yahoo.com

Kris McMillen, OSBRC Chair (co-coordinator for hikes) 501-984-3774

krismcmillen7@gmail.com

Judi Nail, (co-coordinator for hikes): 870-421-6824 or jnail1113@gmail.com

Peggy Bulla, OSHC Vice-Chair, 479-586-2493 or sunnypegs@aol.com

Don Bridges (float coordinator): gofigure243@hotmail.com

Chris Kline (picnic/event coordinator): 479-409-0394 or ckline901@gmail.com

Day, Date:  Saturday, April 26, 2025

Name of Hike:  Smith Creek Preserve Wildflowers

Type of Hike:  Dayhike, trail, most of the trail is old road-bed along Smith Creek.  Hikers are encouraged to spur trails for viewing the creek.

Location:  Nature Conservancy Smith Creek is 1.2 miles south of Boxley Valley trailhead off AR Hwy 21.

Hiking Distance:  5.75 miles

Maximum Elevation Difference:  797 feet

Rating:  Moderate due to distance and elevation gain

Features:  Waterfalls, boulders, blue pools, wildflowers, moss rock covered springs, creeks, and more.

Hike Leaders:  Jack and Sue Mabry

Telephone and Email:  816-922-9896, mabrysue@gmail.com

Meeting Place and Time:

• Meet at 9:15 AM at the Kings River Country Store in Marble, AR; or,
• Meet at 10:00 AM at the Boxley Trailhead (Buffalo River Trail mile 0) parking area.  Due to limited parking at the Smith Creek preserve.  Hikers will need to consolidate into fewer cars, then drive 1.2 miles to Smith Creek Preserve.

Google Map to Upper Buffalo Wilderness Trailhead in Boxley Valley:  Click on “Location” below.

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, and children under 12 years are discouraged and must be accompanied by a guardian.   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