2025 Arkansas Ag, Forest & Water Conference
Join us for the upcoming Arkansas Agriculture, Forests and Water Conference, happening July 22-24, 2025! This two-and-a-half-day event covers multiple topics of interest to stakeholders state-wide and highlights presentations covering NWA, Central AR, and the Delta area.
This conference is organized by the following partners: Arkansas Water Resources Center (AWRC), Arkansas Dept. of Agriculture – Natural Resources Division, Arkansas Dept. of Agriculture – Forestry Division, Arkansas Forest and Drinking Water Collaborative (AFDWC), Beaver Watershed Alliance (BWA) and the Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP).
Location: Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences, 1371 W. Altheimer Dr., Fayetteville, AR
Registration Cost:
$100 (early bird pricing)
$200 (late registration starts July 2)
$50 Student Discount
Sponsorship: Thank you to our sponsors! View Sponsorship Opportunities HERE
Conference Details:
This year’s conference will cover a wide range of topics, including:
- Emerging Research on PFAS and HABs
- Forests, Emerging Marshes, and Wetlands
- Lake Frances Bottomland Forests, Wetlands, and Vision
- Riparian Buffer Programs, Lessons Learned
- Climate, Hydrologic, and Watershed Drivers of Water Quality
- A New Approach to Conservation and Recreation Management of Rivers in Arkansas
- Groundwater, Droughts, and Agriculture
- Updates from the Natural Resources Division
- Arkansas Water Young Professionals
The Arkansas Water Young Professionals group is a new addition to the conference topic line-up this year. This volunteer-driven group connects, trains, and supports early-career professionals in the water industry through workshops, water facility tours, and networking events across northwest Arkansas. Group membership is free and open to all, regardless of age or experience, with the network primarily serving professionals aged 35 or younger or those with 10 or fewer years in the industry.
Networking & Socials + Tour
Tuesday, July 22, 6 pm: Join us for the famous pizza social at Marley’s Pizzeria on Dickson St., Fayetteville, AR
Wednesday, July 23, 6 pm: AWYP SOCIAL, Fossil Cover Brewery and Food Trucks
Thursday, July 24, 1 pm – 4 pm: Optional Field Tour of Restoration Project (Registration Required)
Load buses at 11:45 am, Lunch at Historic Cane Hill College, max 100 attendees.
Register early for the iconic Water Conference T-shirt!
Leach Ranch Tour
Optional Field Tour: Thursday, July 24, 1 pm – 4 pm. Lunch provided at the Historic Cane Hill College, (Max 100 attendees).
Located near the community of Cane Hill, the Leach Ranch encompasses more than 1,000 acres of prairie and post-oak savannah in different phases of restoration. What you will see during the field tour: 1) Ecological restoration of historic prairie for Bobwhite Quail and other wildlife habitat on degraded agriculture lands using cereal crops, fire and other management tools. 2) Alternative/experimental gully restoration in a karst system utilizing brush structures, ephemeral wetlands, dry dams, mock beaver dams, key line principals, and channel reconstruction to support groundwater recharge, water quality, and flood control. 3) Other work including establishing a native seed bank focused on local ecotypes, glade restoration, and discussion of prairie restoration equipment and species selection. Space limited to the first 100 signups. Save your spot for this opportunity!