South Fork Nature Center

South Fork Nature Center Free nature trails open year-round, sunrise to sunset, on the shores of Greers Ferry Lake near Clinton, Arkansas.

The premier conservation project of the Gates Rogers Foundation. South Fork Nature Center is the Gates Rogers Foundation’s premier conservancy project. Located in Central Arkansas on the banks of the South Fork of the Little Red River section of Greers Ferry Lake, which is in the Boston Range of the Ozark Mountains. The South Fork Nature Center has approximately two miles of public nature trails,

an all weather pavilion, an environmentally “green” energy efficient education facility functioning on a self-sustaining basis, an amphitheater which can double as outdoor classrooms, and all on the spectacular shoreline view of Greers Ferry Lake. Most importantly, it will serve as a model to educate and inspire us to be aware o to protect vulnerable species, to adopt practices which are ecologically sound, and to work toward recreating a planet on which man and nature can co-exist in a mutually beneficial partnership.

South Fork Nature Center is OPEN and free to the public! Here are a few reminders to help you enjoy your visit!📍 Located...
09/13/2024

South Fork Nature Center is OPEN and free to the public!
Here are a few reminders to help you enjoy your visit!

📍 Located at 962 Bachelor Rd, Choctaw AR (off Hwy 330 E)

🌅 Open sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year

🚗 Parking is available across from the gate. Walkers can use the public access on the right side of the gate (just look for the sign!)

🐾 Pets allowed on leash

📸 Take nothing but photos & leave nothing but footprints...please be respectful of private homes along the trails.

🚌 If you have a school class, organization, club, or other group event interested in using our facilities, please contact us at 501-745-6444!

08/03/2023

Io moths (Automeris io) may be seen in late spring and summer throughout Arkansas. The striking eyespots on their hindwings mimic the eyes of a much larger animal to deter predators. Pictured is a female io moth found near a cocoon on the ground. Io moth larvae spin silk-and-leaf cocoons, often camouflaged and protected in leaf litter. This species is one of many benefitting from the practice of “leaving the leaves” year-round. Photo by Brent Baker.

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06/29/2023

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What's the ideal temp for these cute, but deadly mushrooms noticed while hiking recently? 50-60 degrees, a long way from Arkansas' triple digit highs forecast for the rest of the week. (FYI, our lead scientist Doug Zollner warns the 'fly argic' mushrooms are poisonous, so look, take a selfie, but don't touch or eat.)

HEAT ALERT: The majority of the state is under an excessive heat alert or warning with temperature indices from 105-118 degrees from Fayetteville to Little Rock to Lake Village, so know your ability to enjoy and withstand time outside.

Even under the tree canopies at Blue Mountain Natural Area near Little Rock or Logan Springs Natural Area near Siloam Springs, try hiking, biking or birding early morning or late evening, and take a water bottle with you--the high Arkansas humidity only increases dehydration and zaps your energy faster, so consider a shorter walk or ride. 📸 Samantha Bates

To find a preserve or natural area near you in Arkansas, or if you're traveling across the country this holiday, click here: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/?s=Arkansas&fa=opentothepublic,limitedaccess,closedtothepublic

Join us on Saturday, June 10 at 10:00am for an exciting free program at the Nature Center as we welcome Raptor Rehab Of ...
06/03/2023

Join us on Saturday, June 10 at 10:00am for an exciting free program at the Nature Center as we welcome Raptor Rehab Of Central Arkansas who will share about their mission, and introduce some magnificent birds of prey that are part of the release program!

Raptor Rehab of Central Arkansas provides quality care and rehabilitation for ill, injured or orphaned birds of prey with the goal of their release back into the wild. Visit their website to learn more: http://www.rrca-raptors.org/

All ages are welcome to attend! Parking is available across from the entrance gate, and pedestrians should use the foot path next to the gate and follow signs for the Pavilion. If you would like to stay after the program to explore our trails, we recommend bringing hiking boots, bug spray, and drinking water.

These kids & parents from the Cleburne County Home School Cooperative enjoyed their first visit to South Fork with a fie...
04/27/2023

These kids & parents from the Cleburne County Home School Cooperative enjoyed their first visit to South Fork with a field-based education day led by docents Bob Verboon, Shirley Pratt, Robert Fuhler, and Connie Smith.

Big thanks to the Co-Op for sharing the day with us - your group was awesome and we can’t wait to have you back!

Read more on our website: https://southforknaturecenter.org/2023/04/27/cleburne-county-homeschool-co-op-2023/

Happy Vernal Equinox! 🙌🌞The equal length of day and night (give or take about 10 minutes, for our location in the Ozarks...
03/20/2023

Happy Vernal Equinox! 🙌🌞
The equal length of day and night (give or take about 10 minutes, for our location in the Ozarks) is a clear signal of the advent of spring. We hope you'll celebrate by planning a hike at South Fork to see the season unfurl before your very eyes! 🌱

Want to test your Equinox knowledge? Check out these cool facts from the Farmer's Almanac:
https://www.almanac.com/vernal-equinox-oddities

📸 Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis), one of the most vibrant & beloved heralds of springtime in Arkansas

02/20/2023
02/14/2023
WHO is your Valentine? 💘🦉Some creatures wear their hearts on their sleeves...others wear it on their faces. The captivat...
02/14/2023

WHO is your Valentine? 💘🦉
Some creatures wear their hearts on their sleeves...others wear it on their faces.

The captivatingly beautiful Barn Owl (Tyto alba) is one of many species who are monogamous, meaning they mate for life. Barn owl females choose their life-long mates after the perfect dinner date. They then build their nests in hollow spaces, often finding the perfect nooks for a dream home in man-made structures (hence their common name).

Happy Valentine's Day from South Fork!

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02/14/2023

One of our earliest blooming native wildflowers, harbinger-of-spring (Erigenia bulbosa) is often found in rich wooded ravines and along streams in the highland regions of the state. The flowers’ dark anthers contrast sharply with the bright white petals and give the plant another common name, pepper-and-salt. The flower stems reach a height of about 6 inches and typically bloom before the fern-like leaves appear. Photo courtesy of Eric Hunt.

Address

962 Bachelor Road
Choctaw, AR
72028

Telephone

+15017456444

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South Fork Nature Center is the Gates Rogers Foundation’s premier conservancy project., located in North-Central Arkansas on the banks of the South Fork of the Little Red River section of Greers Ferry Lake, which is in the Boston Range of the Ozark Mountains. The South Fork Nature Center has approximately two miles of fully marked free-access public nature trails, an outdoor educational amphitheater, and a reconstructed pioneer cabin, all on the spectacular shoreline view of Greers Ferry Lake. Most importantly, it serves as a model to educate and inspire us to be aware and to protect vulnerable species, to adopt practices which are ecologically sound, and to work toward recreating a planet on which man and nature can co-exist in a mutually beneficial partnership.