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CONTACT TIM O'REILLY (417) 581-2743
FOR RELEASE AUGUST 10, 1995
Harrison AR, Aug. 10, 1995 --
What can we do to protect the natural environment while respecting the need for employment and economic development? The Buffalo River in northern Arkansas now has an environmental group which works with land owners and farmers instead of working against them. The Buffalo River Stewardship Foundation, based in Harrison, Arkansas, is expanding its membership to southern Missouri.
The Stewardship Foundation hopes to attract financial resources from out of state, to finance environmentally-sound development in the Buffalo River watershed. The Steward, the quarterly journal of the Stewardship Foundation, arrives today at the homes of thousands of recreationalists and environmentalists throughout southern Missouri. "We buy 'conservation easements' along the tributaries to the Buffalo River," explains Tim O'Reilly, the Director of Operations of the Stewardship Foundation. "The easements pay land owners to grow trees on land within 100 feet of the tributaries, instead of grazing cattle or growing crops which increases surface runoff and erosion. Land owners hence earn money for good stewardship which protects our most precious local natural resource." The Stewardship Foundation also facilitates a "Watershed Council" which discusses mutually acceptable solutions to pollution problems, and is working toward producing television videos about the Buffalo River.
"Those programs cost money," says Jesse Gordon, the Stewardship Foundation's Director of Economics. "People from out of state use and enjoy the Buffalo River, and now we are giving them the opportunity to help fund its environmental protection." Approximately 57% of the Buffalo River's visitation comes from out of state, including about 120,000 visitors annually from Missouri.
The Buffalo National River is one of Arkansas' top four tourist attractions, with over a million visitors annually. The Stewardship Foundation sees a need for a new approach to environmental protection, because Congress and the state legislature are unlikely to fund activities. "Other environmental groups petition Little Rock or Washington for years to get a single rule changed in the Buffalo watershed," says Timothy T. Jones, the Stewardship Foundation's Executive Director. "And that might not improve the river's water quality, if local people oppose the new rule. Instead, we work directly with local land owners who can directly contribute to protecting the river. We expect significant water quality improvements because everyone will be working towards the same goal: maintaining the Buffalo River as a pristine waterway."
"Our programs work because people are willing to pay to protect the Buffalo River," adds Jesse Gordon, the economist. "We bring together those who are willing to pay with those who can provide an environmental benefit." Gordon is also the editor of The Steward, their membership journal.
The Steward is available from the Stewardship Foundation for $3 plus $1 for postage and handling. The Stewardship Foundation also conducts economic studies and produces educational material concerning the Buffalo watershed. Membership in the Buffalo River Stewardship Foundation is $35 per year; 100% of membership dues go to conservation easements. For more information call (501) 741-1750 or write to Box 5003-161, Harrison AR, 72602. Land owners interested in the conservation easement program may request a sample easement contract or other information at the same address.