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Grants fund student conservation work
The Ozark Society has launched its 2026 application period for youth grants. Deadline to apply is Nov. 30. Grants fund projects engaging school-aged youth in active hands-on conservation and environmental initiatives. Schools and nonprofits in the Ozark, Ouachita and central regions of Arkansas may apply. Visit www.ozarksociety.net for additional information and an application.
One lane to close
The Army Corps of Engineers will close one lane of Arkansas 187 across Beaver Dam from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday for a routine bridge inspection.
Help pull invasives
The Ozark Society Sugar Creek chapter will host invasive species removal, a hike and lunch at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Logan Spring Preserve south of Highfill. Chas McCoy, a watershed specialist with The Nature Conservancy, will work with volunteers and provide tools. Volunteers should bring work gloves, water and lunch.
Catch, release trout
Catch and release fly fishing season opens Friday at Roaring River State Park south of Cassville, Mo. Fishing is allowed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday through Feb. 9. All trout caught must be immediately released. Only flies may be used.
Hair jigs similar to those used in crappie fishing are considered flies at Roaring River. Anglers must carry a Missouri fishing license and annual trout permit. Daily tags are not sold during catch and release season.
Fix tasty waterfowl treats
Learn various ways to cook waterfowl during a free program at 6 p.m. Friday at the Janet Huckabee River Valley Nature Center in Fort Smith. Call (501) 710-6285 to register.
What duck is that?
A free program on duck identification will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Hunt Family Nature Center in Springdale. Participants will learn the differences between dabbling and diving ducks, their unique characteristics and how to use eBird to find local waterfowl viewing hot spots.
Hike Hobbs loop
Hill ‘n Dale Hiking Club will hike the Karst Loop at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area on Nov. 18. Distance is 6 miles. Interested hikers may email hillndalehike@gmail.com for more details. Club information is available at bvhikingclub.com.
Explore Rogers on foot
Ozark Hill Hikers invites all walkers to join a walk Nov. 18 in Rogers. Registration is 12:30 to 1 p.m. at Jiffy Kwik, 219 S. Arkansas St., Rogers. There is a fee of $4 for all walkers.
The walk will start and end at Jiffy Kwik, where participants will choose a 5- or 10-kilometer route. The walks go around Lake Atalanta and through downtown Rogers.
Membership in the Ozark Hill Hikers is $12 per year prorated $1 for each month remaining in the calendar year. For more information, email bvvohh@gmail.com or call (479) 381-9366.
Fish for winter bass
Winter Series bass tournaments have started at Beaver Lake. The first tournament was Nov. 2. Tournaments are set for Nov. 16 and 30, Dec. 7 and 21, and Jan. 4 and 18. The championship will be Jan. 31-Feb. 1. Alternate date is Feb. 7-8. There is a one-time membership fee of $30 per angler. Entry fee per tournament is $60. Pay fees at Hook, Line and Sinker, 98 W. Locust St., Rogers.
Survive in the wild
A free introductory program on survival techniques, fire starting and shelter building will be at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 6 at the Janet Huckabee River Valley Nature Center in Fort Smith. Call the center at (501) 710-6285 to register.
Learn to geocache
A free program on geocaching will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Hunt Family Nature Center in Springdale. Students will learn the basics of geocaching and hunt for caches on the nature center grounds. They will also learn how to hunt for caches in their neighborhoods. Call the nature center at (833) 356-0847 to register.
Go duck hunting
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will host a guided duck hunt for women and families Dec. 31. Hunters will meet at 5 a.m. at the Janet Huckabee River Valley Nature Center in Fort Smith.
A Game and Fish guided duck hunt for families will be Jan. 8 at Frog Bayou Wildlife Management Area. A guided hunt for women will be Jan. 9 at Lake Dardanelle Wildlife Management Area.
The hunts are for women or families interested in learning how to hunt ducks, have never been duck hunting nor have anyone to show them how.
An intermediate level duck hunt for women is Dec. 16 at Frog Bayou Wildlife Management Area. The hunt is for women who have previously been on a Game and Fish guided duck hunt.
Advanced registration is required by Dec. 1. Contact Karen Westcamp-Johnson, karen.westcapm-johnson@agfc.ar.gov for more information and registration information for these hunts.
Grand slamma jamma
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission invites anglers to fish for a 2025 Grand Slam Award. Resident and nonresident anglers of any age are eligible to participate. Catch at least one trout, bass, catfish, sunfish and crappie during 2025. There is no minimum size requirement on any fish.
Bass can be any species called bass such as largemouth bass, striped bass or white bass. Submit a photo and information about each fish to qualify. Grand Slam winners get a colorful Grand Slam Award sticker. Once all five species are caught and photographed, visit agfc.com/grandslam to submit photos and details.
Email tara.bennett@agfc.com for more information or call (501) 604-3962.
