Intro to The River Commons

Name: Intro to The River Commons
Start: 2025-09-06T09:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-09-06T11:00:00-05:00
Location: 890 Dead Horse Mountain Rd, Fayetteville, AR

Schedule

Sat Sep 06 2025 at 09:00 am to 11:00 am

UTC-05:00

Location

890 Dead Horse Mountain Rd, Fayetteville, AR | Fayetteville, AR

The Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a birding field trip to The River Commons on Saturday, September 6th at 9:00 AM. The River Commons is a conservation and educational initiative located in Fayetteville, Arkansas along the West Fork of the White River. Managed and led by the Watershed Conservation Resource Center (WCRC) and owned by the WCRC, City of Fayetteville, and Beaver Water District, The River Commons was established to restore critical ecosystems, improve and protect the water quality of Northwest Arkansas’ drinking water source, and engage local and regional communities in environmental restoration, cultural heritage, and nature-based recreation.
The over 300-acre property features some interesting wetland and grassland habitat that we’ll explore in search of local and migrant shorebirds and passerines. Birders have been visiting the original 98-acre property for years and close to 140 species of birds have been observed to date. We’ll get special access to park inside the property and learn from WCRC staff about ongoing restoration efforts and plans for the future. We’ll pay particular attention to the 25-acre wetland area on the east side of Dead Horse Mountain Road where emergent mudflats can attract migrating shorebirds. The open fields can also be quite good for sparrows!
Participants are invited to enter the property through the gate at 890 Dead Horse Mountain Rd and proceed up the driveway to the parking area on the hill near the WCRC Native Plant Nursery. We will begin the walk at 9:00 AM. Participants can expect to walk for 2 hours over 1-2 miles of flat but uneven terrain with some mowed trails and some possible walking through taller grasses and mud. Hiking boots, sun protection, insect repellant, and water is recommended. There are not modern restroom facilities on site, but there is a portable toilet near the hoop house. The trip is free and open to the public. You do not need to be an NWAAS member to attend.
RSVP
This trip is free and open to the public. There is no participant limit. Please RSVP by email to **[email protected]** so we know how many to expect. In your email, please include your name and the total number in your party.
Directions
From Fayetteville, head East on HWY 16 / E Huntsville Rd past HWY 265, then turn right (South) on S Stone Bridge Rd. After the curve, the road becomes Dead Horse Mountain Rd and the gated entrance for the property will be on the left. Follow the gravel driveway all the way to the parking area on the hill near the green houses. The address is 890 Dead Horse Mountain Rd.