U of A Oak Ridge Hill

In 2025, the Watershed Conservation Resource Center (WCRC) collaborated with the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC) and the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas to receive funding for restoration of the University of Arkansas Oak Ridge through a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The WCRC will coordinate land restoration, which consists of 5.5 acres of forest, 1.7 acres of savanna, and 1.7 acres of prairie restoration throughout the U of A Natural Character Zone, as identified in the U of A Campus Landscape Manual. In general, the focus of the restoration approach for both groups will be to begin treating and removing non-native and invasive species and allowing natives to repopulate the area. The U of A will design and build a key section of the Oak Ridge paved trail across a challenging hillside, which will connect to existing paved trails on both ends. The Oak Ridge Paved Trail combined with the Maple Street Cycle Track and Razorback Regional Greenway will form a complete loop of trail around the main campus.

Additional Before Photos