Statewide, regional and local nonprofit organizations are key partners in the 2006-2010 NPS Management Program Update.  Examples of these organizations include but are not limited to:

The Nature Conservancy.  The mission of the Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.  The Arkansas Chapter of the Nature Conservancy has field offices in Northwest and East Arkansas.  This chapter has been actively providing assistance to the NPS Management Program by providing training to local professionals in stream geomorphology assessment and restoration practices.  The Nature Conservancy works collaboratively with state, federal and local agencies to achieve its mission and is providing staff support for planning and implementation of NPS management assessments, nine element plans and projects in the Upper Saline River, the Strawberry River, the Spring River and others.  Priority rivers include the Strawberry River, the Kings River, the Mulberry River, the Little Red River, Spavinaw Creek, the Buffalo River, the Eleven Point River, and the Spring River.

Audubon Arkansas. Audubon’s national mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity.   Audubon Arkansas’s vision is to inspire and lead environmental education, resource management, habitat restoration, bird conservation and enlightened advocacy.  Audubon Arkansas is providing staff leadership for planning and implementation of NPS management programs in two watersheds, including the West Fork of the White River in northwest Arkansas and the Fourche River in and around Little Rock.

Watershed Organizations.   Nonprofit watershed organizations exist in some watersheds.  Those that exist are in different stages of development and maturation.  New groups are forming even as existing groups cease to exist.  The NPS Management Program will support the development of effective and sustainable watershed groups where there is local leadership and potential for effective implementation of Nine Element Plans in priority watersheds.  The following is  a partial list of watershed groups.  Groups working in priority watersheds are noted with an asterisk.  Clicking on Watershed Organizations, above, will provide a list of current watershed groups and contacts.

Bayou Bartholomew Alliance*
Beaver Lake Watershed Partnership*
Cache River Watershed Partnership
Alliance for an Improved Middle Fork- AIM*
Friends of the North Fork and White River
Fourche Creek Watershed Group
Kings River Watershed Partnership*
L'Anguille River Watershed Coalition*
Lake Fayetteville Watershed Partnership*
Leatherwood Creek Watershed
Little Red River Action Team
Lower Little River Watershed Coalition*
Lower Mississippi River Conservation Committee
Lower White River Watershed
Strawberry River Watershed
Save Our Spring River
Upper White River Basin Foundation*
West Fork of the White River Watershed*

Resource Conservation & Development Councils  are local grass roots organizations whose leadership comes from its sponsors, Conservation Districts and Local units of Government.  The Council determines the social, economic, and environmental problems and issues relevant to the area.  The Council then develops and implements a plan with local citizens in leadership.  There are 7 RC&D areas that cover Arkansas.  The RC&D concept is that local communities, all levels of government, and grassroots organizations, working together, can develop and implement solutions to widespread and local problems and develop opportunities that will help sustain rural communities, local economies, and natural resources.