The ANHC was recently awarded a $210,000 grant from The Walton Family Foundation for the purchase of additional land adjacent to Devil’s Eyebrow Natural Area (DENA). The grant will be matched with $210,000 in non-federal funds.

The ANHC plans to acquire an approximately 160-acre tract that is located between the existing natural area and a preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy, both of which are protected for conservation purposes. The additional land will allow the ANHC to preserve a connective “stepping stone” between the two properties and protect an area deemed a conservation priority by the Northwest Arkansas Open Space Plan (NWAOSP).

The acquisition at DENA will provide additional area for recreational activities such as hiking, hammocking, bird-watching, and nature photography, as well as a planned mountain bike trail that will traverse a portion of the property. More than 650 species of plants have been documented at DENA, making it one of the most diverse natural areas in the state. Its location also provides close connectivity to other public lands, such as the Mark Twain National Forest and Beaver Lake, which greatly benefits area wildlife.