2025 AAFW Conference
The Arkansas Agriculture, Forests and Water Conference was held July 22-24, 2025. With over 250 attendees, this three day event featured technical research presentations, state-wide topics on forestry, land protection and source water protection. The conference serves as the annual meeting for the AR Forests and Drinking Water Collaborative and the AR Nonpoint Source Program.
Conference Theme:
Building Resilience through Sound Science and Practice
Day 1
Presentations ranged from the latest in water quality monitoring research and treatment technologies to a look at changing climate and the role of restored wetlands for storing sediment and nutrients. Poster presentations were displayed throughout the first 2 days of the conference by University of Arkansas undergraduate and graduate students. Both lunches were extended to provide time for dialogue with the students and their projects. In the evening, there was a conference social held at Marley's Pizza on Dickson Street where the restaurant provided pizza and libations to conference attendees.
Day 2
Morning began with updates from the AR Non-Point Source Pollution Program including the AR Water Plan revision status, AR Unpaved Roads program, and other ongoing programs and projects to assist private landowners in priority watersheds. The afternoon shifted to presentations on agriculture, groundwater, droughts, forest research, and floodplain restoration, and ended with a group of professional development talks led the AR Water Young Professionals Network.
Day 3
A series of presentations and interactive discussions on river conservation, recreation, and planning was the focus for the morning. The conference ended with an afternoon field tour to a privately owned conservation site that encompasses 1,000 acres of prairie and post-oak savannah in different phases of restoration.
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