Arkansas Forests &
Drinking Water Collaborative
Welcome
Welcome to the Arkansas Forests and Drinking Water Collaborative, a partnership committed to keeping our forests healthy and forested, particularly in key watersheds that provide clean drinking water for Arkansans today and for generations to come. Our efforts are focused on building partnerships between water professionals, forest industry professionals, conservationists, and other stakeholders to plan for the future collaboratively. We promote awareness of the connections between forests, water, and the economy, and work to ensure that Arkansas' natural resources are used in strategic and sustainable ways. If you are interested in getting involved or learning more about what we do, contact us today.
AR CommuniTree Volunteer Potting Day
Thursday, May 22nd 2:00 - 5:00 pm
*Weather Permitting*
Arkansas CommuniTree Project
Join us for our final potting volunteer event of this spring for the Arkansas CommuniTree Project, an exciting project initiative awarded to the AFDWC.
This project establishes Arkansas's first community-assisted "riparian tree bank," supported by various partners across the state. We invite our members and the public to participate and join us and get your hands dirty for a good cause! If you plan to attend please RSVP to arforestsandwater@gmail.com. This will confirm you will get any notices and updates related to the work day.
Please bring:
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Sunscreen, hat
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water
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Snacks
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Loose comfortable clothing
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Close toed shoes
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It never hurts to bring a backup set of clothes/shoes!
We will provide bug spray, water, and work gloves.
Volunteers can come and go as they need. We will introduce the project @ 2 pm then get to work potting the last 500 trees we will plant this spring. Event will end at 5 pm.
SAVE THE DATE!
Register Now!
The annual Arkansas Agriculture, Forests, and Water Conference for 2025 will be held at the Don Tyson Agricultural Center
Join us for the upcoming Arkansas Agriculture, Forests and Water Conference, happening July 22-24, 2025! This two-and-a-half-day event covers multiple topics of interest to stakeholders state-wide and highlights presentations covering NWA, Central AR, and the Delta area.
This conference is organized by the following partners: Arkansas Water Resources Center (AWRC), Arkansas Dept. of Agriculture – Natural Resources Division, Arkansas Dept. of Agriculture – Forestry Division, Arkansas Forest and Drinking Water Collaborative (AFDWC), Beaver Watershed Alliance (BWA) and the Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP).
Location: Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences, 1371 W. Altheimer Dr., Fayetteville, AR
Registration Cost:
$100 (early bird pricing)
$200 (late registration after July 1)
$50 Student Discount
Pictures from Last Year's Conference
Arkansas Story Map
Thanks to the U.S. Forest Service's Southern Research Station, you can now learn so much more about our drinking water resources in Arkansas. Click here or on the map for more info.
Sixty-one percent (61%) of all Arkansans drink water that originates in forested watersheds. Maintaining healthy forests is the best protection that we can provide for our water.
This group meets quarterly in a hybrid setting (both virtual and in-person). Our next quarterly meeting will be in the field, helping pot trees for our CommuniTree Project Thursday, May 22nd from 2 - 5 pm. See our events page for more details and RSVP info.
OUR PROJECTS
The Arkansas Forests and Drinking Water Collaborative is supported by the Southeastern Partnership for Forests and Water, a partnership effort of the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities and the U.S. Forest Service. If you have a project in Arkansas that supports clean water and healthy forests, please let us know by clicking below! Come back to see updates soon.
We are always in need of helping hands. If you like to volunteer on river side tree plantings, help organize meetings/field tours, brainstorm project ideas, and/or research funding, we can use your help. Contact us below.
The Arkansas Forests and Drinking Water Collaborative is supported by the Southeastern Partnership for Forests and Water, a partnership effort of the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities and the U.S. Forest Service. Did you know that clean water grows on trees? Click below to learn more about how the Southeast Partnership is working to help communities plan for the future.
The Southern Group of State Foresters and the Southeastern Partnership for Forests and Water have released a great video series regarding forests and source water protection. Click on our Video page to see these.