Saving Biodiversity at the South Fork Nature Center
by Joyce
Hartmann
EARLY BEGINNINGS
Who would suspect that a connection between Central Park in
New York
City and
Choctaw, Arkansas
would benefit wildlife and thousands of people in future years?
It came about because
Exxon engineer Verne
Rogers was transferred from
Houston to the
headquarters in
New York City.
Engineer Victor Gates went along with his friend, securing a
position in
Central Park.There he
developed a keen sense of conservation and preservation.
In 1961 the two heard about a new lake being built in
Arkansas
and decided to buy 75 acres in Choctaw. In 1989, they built a
retirement home on the lake-front property, where they enjoyed many
new friendships, gardening and fishing. They lived there all too
briefly before Verne died. To honor his
memory and also preserve the beautiful grounds and natural habitat,
Victor formed the Gates-Rogers Foundation (GRF) in 2001 and became
its first president.
Victor died in 2004 but as he planned, their names and 65 acres of
their beautiful property live on through an endowment placed in
trust to carry out that mission.
TODAY
The property is a peninsula on the northwest shoreline, offering a
spectacular view of Greer's Ferry Lake. It lies among the foothills
of the Boston Mountains of the Ozark Plateau. Nearby towns include
Choctaw,
Clinton, Shirley, and Fairfield Bay.
The Board of Directors are environmentalists, biologists,
botanists, professors, and other eminently qualified leaders:
President Don Richardson, Clinton; Treasurer Steve Caver, Sills
Peninsula; Secretary Janet Miron, Greenbrier; Fred Knight,
Little Rock; Linda Mays, Clinton; Don Culwell, Conway; and
Scott Heffington,
Little Rock . Many
out-of-town Board members also have vacation cabins near Greer's
Ferry Lake. In January 2006, Carol Corning was hired as a part-time
Executive Director, and the first GRF office was established in
downtown Clinton at 652 Main. Office hours are Tuesday through
Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A "green shop" featuring conservation
books, periodicals, and gifts for sale is another community service
provided there.
The office also contains an Herbarium, a large metal cabinet containing 582 plant specimens collected at the site. Each plant has been pressed, dried, and filed in envelopes with information such as Genus, species, and GPS location. Specimens were collected and catalogued by botanists Theo Witsell of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission and Brent Baker of the Biology Dept. at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) in Conway. This botanical work was featured in the Arkansas Scientific Journal, Volume 60, 2006. Herbarium specimens help educate persons about the importance of conserving plants. Environmentalist Baba Dioum said, "In the end we will conserve only what we love. We love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught."
"We've had some workshops on the site already," Carol said. "We've justcompleted an Aldo Leopold workshop and we're collaborating with universities and schools in three counties to host additional workshops and guided tours." Carol said the web page has complete information at www.gatesrogersfoundation.com. Persons are also welcome to contact her by e-mail at grf@artelco.com or phone at 501-745-6444.
GRANTS AND DONATIONS
Nothing happens without funds, and the Foundation has been fortunate to receive support from state and federal agencies, as well as local businesses and individual volunteers.
The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department funded the GRF with a grant of $58,571 for FY 2008. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service funded the GRF with $7,000 for FY 2008, following a FY 2007 grant of $6,000. These grants will enable initial trail construction to begin with a 20% match from the Foundation. The Board has hired Ken Eastin, Fayetteville, professional trail designer, to lead the way. Also, Don Richardson said they are looking at selective logging, using a mule logger to avoid damage and to bring sunlight to encourage plant growth.
Carol expressed appreciation for the donations of local businesses. Wal-Mart gave $1,000 to assist with the project. First Service Bank pledged $1,500 for 2008 and additional annual donations in future years. The Regions Bank and Simmons Bank also gave donations, as have numerous other businesses and individuals.
LOG CABIN DEDICATION
This year an old log cabin was relocated from Dodd Mt. to the site. Carol said it is at least 100 years old, and was originally from Drasco. It was restored primarily by David Peterson, trained and experienced in cabin restoration, and Don Culwell. The cabin gives people a place to go to get out of the weather, and will serve as an information center in the future.
On April 19 the GRF held a celebratory dedication of the cabin, a party for volunteers and interested persons. First Service Bank grilled and donated hamburgers, and Simmons First National Bank provided drinks. Board members and friends brought desserts and side dishes. David Peterson and his wife Donna sang and played the hammered dulcimer and guitar, wearing pioneer clothes. Bob Stout created delicious peach and cherry cobbler desserts in old-fashioned cast iron Dutch ovens under coals. After dinner eight naturalists took small groups out to explore the diverse habitats and plants on the peninsula.
FUTURE
The GRF web site says that the completed South Fork Nature Center will boast public nature trails and an environmentally "green" educational facility which will be energy efficient and function on a self-sustaining basis. A composting toilet is already in place. There are plans for an amphitheater which can double as an outdoor classroom. The Nature Center will serve as a model to educate and inspire people to be aware of their environment, to protect vulnerable species, to adopt practices which are ecologically sound, and to work toward recreating a planet on which humans and nature co-exist in a mutually beneficial partnership.
Don Richardson has been President since Gates' death. "I really believe in what we're doing," said Richardson. "We're trying to keep the same vision that Victor had. He loved the plants. We've expanded his mission somewhat to include both flora and fauna, as both are important to one another."
The Board meets every other month. Richardson enjoys his work on the Board, saying that "each member has a special skill that they bring to the table." He appreciates the many volunteers who serve on committees and contribute their ideas and time. Because of all these dedicated volunteers, the future looks bright for the South Fork Nature Center. As Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."