Events
Winter Botany Walk at Smith Creek Preserve
***DUE TO THE RECENT SNOW, THIS TRIP HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR MARCH 1***
February 22, 2025, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Join Jennifer Ogle and Andrew Ruegsegger of the University of Arkansas Herbarium and
the Arkansas Native Plant Society on a winter botany tour at The Nature Conservancy’s Smith Creek Preserve, a 1,300+ acre natural area in Newton County that protects the largest colony
of Indiana bats in the state. During the walk we'll see many species of trees and
shrubs in their winter condition, including beech, umbrella magnolia, cucumber magnolia,
and Ozark witch hazel. Bring water and a sack lunch or snacks, wear sturdy boots,
and dress for winter weather.
Level of Difficulty: The trail is rated as moderate to strenuous and is 2+ miles round trip.
Directions: Meet at the Smith Creek Preserve parking area, located about 3 miles south of the Boxley Valley Church on
Hwy 21. More information about Smith Creek Preserve and a map with directions to the property can be found on The Nature Conservancy’s website.
Please note: In case of inclement weather, this trip will be postponed and an announcement will
be made on this page as well as on the UARK and ANPS Facebook pages.
This trip is co-sponsored by the UARK Herbarium and the Arkansas Native Plant Society.
Ouachita National Forest Woodland Restoration Walk
May 28, 2025, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Join Virginia McDaniel, Forestry Technician with the U.S. Forest Service, and Jennifer
Ogle, botanist and Collections Manager at the UARK Herbarium, for a tour of the Pine-Bluestem
Woodland Restoration area on the Ouachita National Forest. We will see a variety of
grassland species including little bluestem, panic grasses, sunflowers, wild petunias,
coneflowers, and milkweeds. Bring water and snacks/lunch, and wear sturdy boots.
Level of Difficulty: Easy to moderate; we will primarily be walking off-trail through an open shortleaf
pine woodland with a carpet of mostly native forbs and grasses in the understory.
Directions: Meet at the USDA Forest Service office in Waldron, at the junction of Hwy 71 & 248
(address: 1541 Hwy 248W, Waldron, AR). We will carpool from here to the woodlands.
RSVP REQUIRED: Please RSVP to Virginia McDaniel at 828-545-2062.
This trip is co-sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service and the UARK Herbarium.
Baker Prairie Natural Area
May 31, 2025, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
May 31, 2025, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Join Jennifer Ogle, botanist and Collections Manager at the University of Arkansas
Herbarium (UARK), and Deb O’Donnell, amateur botanist and UARK volunteer, for a tour
of Baker Prairie Natural Area, a high-quality chert prairie remnant managed by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission
and The Nature Conservancy. During the walk we expect to see an abundance of native
wildflowers, including green-eyes, winecups, Carolina larkspur, pale purple coneflower,
goat’s-rue, and Ohio spiderwort, to name just a few. We'll also see and hear many
birds, so bring binoculars if you have them!
Level of Difficulty: Easy to moderate; we will primarily be walking on a mowed path through the prairie,
in full sun. Water, sun protection, and sturdy shoes are strongly recommended.
Directions: Follow U.S. Highway 65 through Harrison. At the intersection of Highway 65, Highway
65B (North Main), and Industrial Park Road, head west on Industrial Park Road and
follow for 0.9 mi., then turn left on Goblin Drive. Continue for 0.2 mi. then turn
left on W. Burls Way and park in the Harrison Middle School parking lot. Click here for a Google Maps link.
Meetup Location: We’ll gather at the pavilion on the eastern portion of the prairie, just north of
the Harrison Middle School parking lot near the intersection of Goblin Dr. and W.
Burls Way.
This trip is co-sponsored by the Arkansas Native Plant Society, Ozark Chapter and the UARK Herbarium.