kellyfrench@whiteoakbayou.com. WHITE OAK BAYOU WETLANDS CONSERVANCY P.O. Box 13076 Maumelle AR 72113
NAMED 2023 NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR BY MAUMELLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE!
WHITE OAK BAYOU
WETLANDS CONSERVANCY
Dedicated to the Protection, Preservation, and Restoration of White Oak Bayou
PASSION FOR
PRESERVING RESOURCES
White Oak Bayou Wetlands Conservancy is a charitable non-profit founded by Certified Floodplain Manager Jim Narey. Jim believed that conservation and restoration of the wetlands was essential to the health and well-being of the communities along the Bayou. White Oak Bayou reduces soil erosion and flooding, cleanses storm water pollution, creates wildlife habitat, and provides opportunities for education and recreation. The Conservancy educates the public on the value of the wetlands by hosting tree and rain garden plantings, providing boats for scheduled floats at no cost to participants, developing trails and leading hikes. Donations to White Oak Bayou Wetlands Conservancy fund land acquisition, conservation easements, and restoration projects to protect, preserve and enhance White Oak Bayou wetlands as well as acreage for a wetlands park with public access for hiking, bird watching, and paddle sports. Our passion is preserving resources to ensure thriving wetland habitat for future generations.
THE WHITE OAK BAYOU WATERSHED
White Oak Bayou’s headwaters form mainly in Camp Robinson out of three sub-drainages, White Oak Bayou, Winifree Creek and Newton Creek that then flow southwest through the Marche community, under I-40 and on into North Little Rock and Maumelle where they come together to continue on as White Oak Bayou. White Oak Bayou flows in a general southeast direction before emptying into the Arkansas River in Burns park. The entire 27,000 acres of watershed is in Pulaski County, Arkansas and contains over 1400 acres of wetlands. Communities impacted by the wetlands include Marche, Blue Hill, Crystal Hill, Maumelle, and North Little Rock.
WETLAND MANAGEMENT
A key objective of the organization is to identify, manage, and preserve for future generations a substantial portion of the most important wetlands along White Oak Bayou. Much of this acreage is under protective conservation easements. However, the wetlands are not protected from indirect threats such as pollutants from storm water run-off, alterations caused by beavers and flooding, and vegetation changes. Our Wetland Management Plan involves mitigating these threats and encouraging low impact urban design with green spaces, vegetation buffers, and storm water pollution prevention plans and treatment features.
EDUCATION
Whether hiking with the family or leading a group, the wetland trails provide abundant opportunities to observe and study water biology, plant species, and wildlife. School groups, daycare centers, community clubs, and local citizens have a hands-on living science center in their backyard. A wildlife observation deck is located approximately 1 mile from the Maumelle Wetland Trail entrance by the Diamond Center Softball Complex off Country Club Parkway.
RECREATION
Trail development is a central focus of the Conservancy. In addition to the Maumelle Wetland Trail, the White Oak Bayou Trail in North Little Rock's Burns Park leads to the mouth of the Bayou where it enters the Arkansas River. Planned guided float trips are held several times during the year. The Conservancy is working with both Maumelle and the City of North Little Rock to develop a master trail plan and public wetlands park.
CONTACT
WHITE OAK BAYOU WETLANDS CONSERVANCY
200 Casey Drive, Maumelle AR 72113
