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North Central Arkansas Master Naturalists welcomed 13 new members during a graduation ceremony May 16 at the Fred Berry Crooked Creek Nature Center near Yellville.
The new members hail from Baxter, Izard, Marion and Searcy counties. Each completed 40 or more hours of classroom and field training in subjects ranging from archeology to zoology, including trail maintenance and creek water monitoring.
NCAMN volunteers logged nearly 6,000 hours of service in 2025, work valued at more than $200,000, according to the chapter.
Founded in 2009, NCAMN is one of seven Arkansas Master Naturalist chapters and draws members from eight north-central Arkansas counties. Members build and clear hiking trails, monitor water quality in area creeks, care for native plant and pollinator gardens, and host family nature programs throughout the year. The chapter maintains gardens at Bull Shoals-White River State Park, Ozark Folk Center State Park, Fred Berry Crooked Creek Nature Center and on the Arkansas State University-Mountain Home campus.
The chapter accepts applications for new members beginning Sept. 1 each year. Classroom and field training runs from mid-January through early May.
To learn more, visit arkansasmasternaturalists.org or email [email protected].
New members pictured:
Front row: Tina Marie Wilcox, Leslie; Kathy Schmelder, Calico Rock; Holly Clark, Mountain Home; Shelly Hill, Mountain Home.
Second row: Laurie Gates-Johnson, Mountain Home; Kurt Sleighter, Mountain Home; Randa Caja, Mountain Home; Sharon Holland, Midway; Tom Hill, Mountain Home.
Third row: Bud Smith, Bull Shoals; Teresa Sleighter, Mountain Home; Bill Schmelder, Calico Rock; Bill Holland, Midway.
