Spanning 32 communities across Washington and Benton Counties, the plan identifies the forests, farms, rivers, ridgelines, and historic landscapes that define the region’s character. Alta worked with hundreds of stakeholders—including conservation advocates, watershed groups, farmers, parks and recreation leaders, historic preservationists, and elected officials—to analyze these assets and develop a shared strategy for protecting them.
The plan prioritizes key lands for conservation and introduces a practical “conservation toolbox” that outlines funding strategies, policy tools, and partnership models to help landowners, land trusts, and public agencies work together.
By aligning conservation with economic development, the plan helps safeguard clean water, protect biodiversity, preserve working farms, and expand access to outdoor recreation. Ultimately, it provides resources for Northwest Arkansas to grow and remain a place where natural beauty, community identity, and opportunity thrive together.