But we do not live in the past. ...
So we begin the only way we are able.
We begin not with what was, but with what is.
And like the wind in the grasses, sometimes the next pass we make is one that mends.
-- Laurie Allmann, from "Far From Tame"
As we approach a new year, we know it will be resolution time again, and we humans have a lot to resolve environmentally.
Globally, climate change awareness has finally made it into the big time after 50 years of trying to get some respect. Also, the impact of thousands of different chemicals on living organisms, including humans, is slowly beginning to dawn in our collective consciousness. And now that extinction might also be getting personal to our species, humans seem to be realizing that countless life forms are charging into oblivion to join those already lost forever.
Global issues seem too big to grasp or to change, but they're not if we all can just take small bites, think big, and act locally and regionally. Over the years, people in our corner of this state have formed multiple organizations centered on particular concerns and have accomplished much. All groups need funds and volunteers to accomplish much more. These are just a few you could support, and they can be found online in a search under their organization's name.
The Northwest Arkansas Land Trust works for the permanent protection of land, which in turn protects water quality, wildlife, local farms and provides access to nature.
The Arkansas Citizens Climate Lobby (https://citizensclimatelobby.org/chapters/AR_Fayetteville) has chapters around the state working on carbon emission issues and environmental justice.
The Ozark Society is the grandparent of many Arkansas environmental groups. Founded in 1962 by Dr. Neil Compton of Bentonville "to preserve wild and scenic rivers, wilderness and unique natural areas," it led the first fight to "Save the Buffalo" from dam building. A decade later the river was dedicated as the nation's first national river.
The Buffalo River Watershed Alliance was formed in 2013 to "Save the Buffalo -- Again," this time from run-off pollution from an industrial-scale hog farm built near a creek upstream from the Buffalo. Joined by the Ozark Society, the Nature Conservancy and other groups and after a six-year battle, the hog farm was closed. Now the alliance's efforts continue to "Save the Buffalo -- Forever!" from continuing encroachments and impactful forest practices.
The Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association has done extensive analysis of the region's natural assets and the need for green infrastructure. Their work has preserved several very special places and is invaluable in understanding and defining what we have to cherish and protect in this region.
The Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society was founded almost as long ago as the Ozark Society "to encourage recreational birding and increase awareness about birds, their behaviors and habitats." This chapter covers Benton, Carroll, Madison, and Washington counties. There is also the unaffiliated Disorganized Bird Club of Harrison for Boone County birders. I'm not sure if it's the birds or the birders that are disorganized, but they have great Facebook pages of bird photos.
Protected watersheds are vital to the health of everyone in our region. The primary focus of the Illinois River Watershed Partnership is, "public education, outreach, and implementation of conservation and restoration practices." The Beaver Watershed Alliance works to, "maintain high quality drinking water and improve water quality," in the Beaver Lake watershed.
The Nature Conservancy has conserved more than 320,000 acres in Arkansas since 1982 and "works with private landowners, businesses, public agencies, and others to conserve and restore the lands and waters of Arkansas."
Save Markham Hill (friendsofmarkhamhill.org) is a citizen group opposing the residential and commercial development of a 144 acre wooded property in Fayetteville. Their goal is to secure and protect this urban forest as a nature and wildlife preserve instead of it being covered with hundreds of houses, streets, and businesses.
Solving environmental problems means both protecting and enjoying the wonders of our state. Solutions require organizational effort like these and other groups provide, but also in single issue-centered activism like the struggle over Markham Hill. Both ways of involvement depend on constant vigilance over decisions and policies at all levels of governmental agencies, over business dealings, over political pressures, over environmental degradation and numerous other factors.
Each day we have to start with what is and work toward what can be. Hopefully we can mend the harm we've done.