In celebration of the 22nd annual War Eagle Appreciation Day, the Beaver Watershed Alliance was proud to present the 2026 War Eagle Creek Stewardship Award to the Mowry family, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to conservation and the long term protection of the War Eagle watershed.
Tom and Karen Mowry recently chose to permanently protect their 30 acre property through a donated conservation easement with the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust. Located in the Washington County portion of the War Eagle watershed near Highway 412, this property represents an important conservation win in an area experiencing increasing development pressure. The land lies within the critical Beaver Lake source water protection area, directly benefiting 1 in 5 Arkansans that rely on the lake for clean drinking water.
The protected acreage includes more than 1,100 feet of a recognized stream, along with ponds, natural springs, forested ridgelines, and bottomland hardwoods. The land also contains caves and sensitive karst features, making it especially important for reducing erosion, filtering runoff, and safeguarding essential wildlife habitat, including potential habitat for several federally listed endangered bat species.
“We have 30 acres,” Karen Mowry shared. “I was really worried about what would happen when we are gone and now I can rest in peace. It will be there forever. Thank you to the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust.”
This easement directly advances long term conservation goals within the War Eagle Creek watershed. The milestone was achieved through a multi-partner effort utilizing technical and financial assistance from the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), focusing resources on high priority waterways like the War Eagle. To ensure these vulnerable riparian zones and upland habitats are protected forever, long term stewardship funding has been secured through the Beaver Water District, enabling the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust to monitor and care for the Mowry Property in perpetuity.
Presented annually during War Eagle Appreciation Day, the War Eagle Creek Stewardship Award celebrates landowners who demonstrate exceptional leadership in watershed conservation. This year’s community celebration, held on Saturday, June 6th at Withrow Springs State Park, brought partners and community members together to highlight how private landowners and regional partners can make a lasting impact on our shared water resources. The Mowry family’s dedication serves as an inspiring example for our entire watershed.
Landowners Karen and Tom Mowry accept the 2026 War Eagle Creek Stewardship Award, with regional conservation partners at War Eagle Appreciation Day at Withrow Springs State Park. Pictured from left to right are Evan Johnson (Northwest Arkansas Land Trust), Larry Berry (Beaver Watershed Alliance), Karen Mowry, Tom Mowry, and Ben Speight (Northwest Arkansas Land Trust)
