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Foothills Chapter (FAMN)

Welcome to FAMN

FAMN was organized in 2017 with the help of the Central Arkansas Master Naturalists chapter located in Little Rock. The first class included 26 Naturalists In Training (NITs) and there are now over 50 members.

Regular chapter meetings are held in various locations around the Foothills area. Training and continuing education classes are available year-around.

FAMN has several project locations throughout the region, providing a variety of volunteer opportunities including site restoration, tree planting, native plant seed collecting for habitat restoration, monitoring and documenting stream water quality, maintaining trails, and recreational hikes.

FAMN collaborates with city, state, and national parks and wildlife, water quality, and forest agencies, as well as with other non-profit organizations that are dedicated to preservation and promotion of Arkansas' natural resources.

For more information about the requirements to become a Master Naturalist CLICK HERE.

Featured Activities

Habitat Restoration

FAMN is involved in propagation, seed collection and cleaning, prescribed burns, (planting), and maintenance of native plants at many sites around our region.

Stream Team

In conjunction with AGFC, FAMN performs insect monitoring and water quality testing at local streams to determine the health of the environment over time..

Education

NiTs (naturalists-in-training) and members enjoy learning about nature from specialists and members.

Chinquapin Restoration

FAMN is part of the movement to reestablish Ozark Chinquapins (Castanea ozarkensis) in our state. These trees historically produced a sweet, bountiful crop of nuts for humans and wildlife, but in the 1950s they were decimated by the Chestnut blight, a fungal pathogen from Asia. Working with our partners, we plant and monitor seedlings with improved blight resistance at several well-suited locations within our region.

Trail Building

Part of enjoying the outdoors is having trails and bridges to access natural areas. FAMN works with different agencies to build and maintain trails at different locations in our region.

Nature Hikes

Getting out in nature and just having fun with fellow members is what makes life better.

Clean-ups

A group helping to keep Arkansas beautiful by picking up trash.

FAMN initiates and joins in on clean-up events to keep our natural state beautiful.

Outreach

We enjoy sharing out knowledge with the younger generations.

FAMN members share their knowledge with others, including children.

Featured Projects

Bell Slough WMA

Bell Slough Wildlife Management Area is a 2,040-acre tract of land located 18 miles north of Little Rock near Mayflower, AR. This management area offers a 2.25-mile interpretive trail that meanders through various habitat types including a wetland and a forest.

Bluffton Preserve at Archey Fork

Only minutes from downtown Clinton lies the Bluffton Preserve, a 989-acre tract of field and forest in the upper Little Red River Watershed. Coursing through it is nearly four miles of the beautiful Archey Fork of the Little Red River. Perfect for hiking, camping, fishing, swimming or just exploring, the preserve provides a little something for everyone.

Camp Robinson SUA

The Camp Robinson Special Use Area (4,029 acres) is managed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for field trials and hunting dog training. Camping and hunting is also available.

On the auto tour one may see many species here including hard-to-find birds such as Bachman’s sparrow, black-billed cuckoo, Canada warbler, golden-winged warbler and least flycatcher. This area seems to draw more than its share of unusual hummingbirds as well.

Dardanelle Lock & Dam

Located near the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests, the area has an abundance of wildlife.
Environmental Stewardship includes both passive and proactive management to sustain healthy ecosystems and biodiversity and conserve natural resources such that Corps lands and waters are left in a condition equal to or better than their condition when acquired so that natural and cultural resources are available to serve the needs of present and future generations.

Mount Nebo State Park

Situated in the Arkansas River Valley just 45 minutes from Arkansas Wine Country, this state park sits atop the 1,350-foot Mount Nebo. The 1930s-era Civilian Conservation Corps constructed many of the rustic-style cabins, pavilions, bridges, and 32.6 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. There are spectacular views of the river valley below.

Mount Nebo State Park is a certified Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Site. Learn more in Arkansas state parks.

Woolly Hollow State Park

This is a classic state park on 40-acre Lake Bennett in Greenbrier about 18 miles north of Conway.

The lake was built in the 1930s by the Soil Conservation Service as its first watershed project.

Today it offers a launch ramp with boats for rent, fishing, swimming and camping.

History buffs will enjoy the Woolly Cabin, an original 1882 one-room family homestead. The 9.4-mile Enders Fault is a mountain biking destination. Hikers have four trails to choose from.

CHAPTER MAP

JOIN US

Your required 40 hours of classes are offered as follows;

1. One or two classes are offered each month
2. Classes are always offered on Saturday
3. Each class consists of a morning class session and afternoon field experience
4. Generally, completing 8 or 9 classes completes the 40-hour requirement
5. Classes are held in several different locations
6. During winter months some classes may be offered via ZOOM to avoid dangerous driving conditions

Accepting Applications
on October 1st.
AMN Application

To view an example of the "Naturalist in Training" classes, select the box below.

Master Naturalist in Training Classes