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The Northwest Arkansas Land Trust (“NWALT”) announced in a news release that it has received funding from Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund to contribute toward total funding of an initiative to protect 300 acres of Ozark forest in southern Washington County, Arkansas.

The acreage is denominated Blackburn Bluffs Preserve and described as a:

. . . designated scenic byway at the gateway to the region and home to over 400 species of plants and animals, including turkey, black bear, white-tailed deer, smallmouth bass, and is an important foraging area for the Northern Long-Eared Bat, a federally threatened species and the Ozark Big-Eared Bat, a federally endangered species.

The acreage is west of the Bobby Hopper tunnel on Interstate 49. Further, it is adjacent to a privately-owned 725-acre tract that is permanently protected with a conservation easement.

The acquisition of Blackburn Bluffs Preserve is stated to be part of NWALT’s ongoing strategic effort to establish a Boston Mountain Scenic Wildlife Corridor. A combination of the properties is stated to establish a protective corridor for the movement of wildlife under the elevated interstate.

The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund is stated to be part of the company’s initiative to invest in programs that are aligned with its commitment to conservation.

A copy of the news release can be downloaded here.