Oakland residents and North Central Arkansas Master Naturalists (NCAMN) have begun working to create a nature preserve on Ozark Isle. Thirty-five volunteers cleared fallen trees and debris from paths and roadways to restore 500 wooded acres, including five miles of road for hikers, bicyclists, birders, paddlers and nature lovers.
Mary Beth and Rob Piorowski, Oakland residents and new members of NCAMN, said they created the Ozark Isle Nature Preserve (OINP) initiative to restore Ozark Isle. They recently sent a proposal to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to seek approval to restore the area as a nature preserve for non-motorized recreation.
The island, surrounded by Bull Shoals Lake, used to be a popular campground, but in 2004, an USACE park efficiency review recommended operations cease.
Rob Piorkowski said, “After ten years of neglect, work has begun to rescue the island. The local community of Oakland has made a first pass at mowing the five miles of paved road with tractors. We started hands-on work on April 4.”
Mary Beth Piorkowski added, “OINP will raise funds and enlist volunteers to eradicate/mow invasive weeds, design and install signs, erect an ADA-suitable gate, provide a portable toilet and improve the park. Plans include hanging bluebird, bat, wood duck and owl boxes, as well as planting wildflowers.”
The volunteers were split into four teams. Two teams removed trees which had fallen across roads at Campground DD. and the water tower. Another team gathered at Campground B to cut limbs and remove leaves and weeds from roadways. An a fourth team used leaf blowers, string trimmers and long-handled loppers to clean the causeway entrance.
Dylan Edwards, of the USACE, says “This has been an exciting project and we’re happy to partner with the folks from OINP and NCAMN. Ozark Isle is a unique piece of property and, understandably, people want to get out there and explore it. Although the current appearance of the island can lead you to believe it’s completely closed, we’ve always allowed foot and bicycle traffic to the area. The work these volunteers are doing will improve the appearance and make it more inviting to the public. This partnership will improve access to public property, which is a very positive thing.”
Roy Stovall, NCAMN Trail Team Leader, said, “NCAMN members are excited about this opportunity to restore the island to public access. Area Master Naturalists have pursued a range of conservation and citizen-science volunteer programs in north central Arkansas for the past 15 years. We enjoy helping communities, and this location also enables us to observe migrating birds and waterfowl that stop over there in spring and fall.”
For more information or to donate to OINP, email OzarkIsle@outlook.com.
For more information about NCAMN, email ncamn.contact@gmail.com.
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