"BRSF on the Web"

CONTACT TIM O'REILLY (417) 581-2743

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Harrison, AR, Aug. 1, 1995: The Buffalo River Stewardship Foundation (BRSF) today announced the establishment of a "World Wide Web Home Page." The BRSF has published an "on-line" version of their journal, The Steward, along with an electronic version of their economic report and other information about the organization. The BRSF is dedicated to maintaining the water quality of the Buffalo National River in northern Arkansas. The BRSF hopes to attract the attention of environmentalists and recreationalists across America, and to bring in funds to assist with environmentally sound development projects in the Buffalo River region.

The World Wide Web is part of the nation-wide Internet computer network, and allows computer users to view documents and photographs from anywhere in the world at any time. The BRSF joins a long list of environmental groups who are already on the Web, which is widely perceived as the fastest-growing communications medium of the future.

"Our slogan is 'Working with Farmers for a Better Tomorrow,'" says Jesse Gordon, the BRSF's Director of Economics and staff member responsible for managing their Web site. "We see the Internet as part of a Better Tomorrow and hope to use it to get our message across."

"The BRSF will now be able to reach people around the world, who will help maintain the environmental resources and natural beauty of northern Arkansas," says Timothy Jones, the Executive Director of the BRSF. "We hope that this will bring substantial interest to what we consider one of the most beautiful places on earth."

The Buffalo River is America's first National River, established in 1972 on the centennial of the establishment of Yellowstone as America's first National Park. While the water quality of the river is still good, it has been degrading in recent years. The river's water quality and aesthetic value are threatened by development in the region, especially by cattle ranching and forestry along the Buffalo's tributaries. The BRSF works towards alleviating the threat to the river while respecting the property rights of land owners and the economic needs of local residents.

"We are establishing a Watershed Council to deal with pollution problems throughout the watershed. And we are continuing our conservation easement program, which purchases or leases sensitive acreage along the Buffalo's tributaries," says Tim O'Reilly, the BRSF's Director of Operations. "These programs cost money, and we hope to bring substantial financial resources to the Buffalo watershed through the Internet. Those financial resources can allow sustainable development in the Buffalo watershed while maintaining environmental quality."

Computer users can tap into the BRSF's "Home Page" on the World Wide Web at URL http://www.homenet.com/brsf. Interested persons can contact the BRSF by telephone at (501) 741-1750, by mail at Box 5003-161, Harrison AR 72602, or by e-mail at brsf@wildfire1.com. A year-long membership in the BRSF costs $35 and entitles subscribers to four issues of The Steward, the quarterly journal of the BRSF. 100% of membership dues go to programs, and none to overhead or expenses.

What's next? "We plan to translate our Web site into French and Spanish, to attract viewers from north and south of the border," says Jesse Gordon, the BRSF Web manager. "We want to bring information about the Buffalo River, a world-class natural resource, to the Internet, a world-wide communication medium."