General OS Activities

This coming Saturday, December 4, we will do trail maintenance on our part of the Ozark Highlands Trail. We will be working from the railroad cut west towards Ragtown Rd.

Tools to bring:

• nippers
• limb saw
• Anything else you want to bring

Wear hiking/work boots, gloves; bring sack lunch, water, bug spray. FYI, the Turner Bend Store makes great sandwiches if you want to get one from them for your lunch. I always do. Plus snacks/drinks etc.

Meet at First Care South at intersection of Crossover and Huntsville Rd for a 9:15am departure. Or at the Turner Bend Store at 10:15am.

On March 1, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed the Buffalo National River legislation into law.  In a November 3, 1972, letter from President Richard Nixon to Dr. Neil Compton, then president of the Ozark Society, Nixon said this, “I warmly congratulate you on your work and I especially applaud your valuable contributions toward the designation of Buffalo River as a part of the National Park System.  May you always derive satisfaction from these accomplishments and pride from having had such a salient part in the realization of a foremost national goal.”

In celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the March 1, 1972, signing date, the Ozark Society will host the following paddling and hiking activities on March 1, 2022.

Where to Meet:  Ponca Low Water Bridge

Time:  9:30 a.m., March 1, 2022

Hiking:  One or more hikes will be conducted depending on the number of participants.  All participants should bring their own lunch and water and dress appropriately for the anticipated weather conditions.

Hiking Contact:  Please email Luke Parsch at lparsch@uark.edu or call 479-442-3817, if you plan to participate in the hike or if you have questions.

Paddling:  The first choice paddling trip will be from Ponca to Kyles, water level permitting.  If the water is too low, the trip will be moved downstream.  All participants should bring their own boat, PFD, water, and lunch.  The vehicle shuttle will be conducted that morning by the trip participants before we launch.

Paddling Contact:  Please email Stewart Noland at stewartnoland51@aol.com or call 501-831-9908, if you plan to participate in the float or if you have questions.

In celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the Buffalo National River and 60^th anniversary of the Ozark Society, the Ozark Society plans to conduct a float trip from Highway 65 to the White River, from June 13 – June 18, 2022.  There will be several groups of about 15 persons per group.  Each group will have a common kitchen and food.  Participants will need to provide their personal gear and boat.  The boat must be capable of carrying some group gear.  The cost for this trip is $150 per person, not including vehicle shuttle cost, boat, or personal gear.

As an alternative, Alan Nye will lead a group wherein each participant will provide his/her own food.  The cost for this trip is $60 per person, not including vehicle shuttle cost, boat, or personal gear.

Trip participants can shuttle their own vehicles or call Wild Bill Outfitters at 870-449-6235, to arrange a car shuttle from Highway 65 (Grinder’s Ferry) to Riley’s Station on the White River.  The cost of the shuttle is $180 per vehicle, and remember to identify yourself as a participant in the Ozark Society float when you book your shuttle with Wild Bill.  Payment for the shuttle will be made from the individual to Wild Bill.

To secure a spot on the trip please mail a check for the trip fee (either $150 for the community trip or $60 for the individual trip) to:  Ozark Society, P.O. Box 2914, Little Rock, AR  72203 with the Buffalo River Trip 2022 Information Form available HERE.

This is an historic trip, and I look forward to good participation from our membership.  See you on the Buffalo!

Please direct questions to Stewart Noland at 501-831-9908, or stewartnoland51@aol.com.