Board Meeting Summary — August 10, 2026

Friends of Healing Springs Natural Area, Inc. held its first in-person meeting of the Board of Directors on August 10, 2026. All five members of the inaugural Board were present: John Rogers, Jesse Johnson, Jordan Kunkel, Suzie Tylock, and Leonard Ogden.

The meeting focused on establishing sound organizational practices, strengthening relationships with conservation partners, and identifying the organization’s initial priorities for stewardship, education, community engagement, and funding.

This page is a public meeting summary, not the official minutes. Formal board minutes are maintained separately in the organization’s records.

Building a Strong Organizational Foundation

The Board formally reaffirmed the organization’s formation documents and completed the necessary hard-copy signatures. Friends of Healing Springs Natural Area has also received approval of its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

The Board established its initial organizational bank account and discussed financial controls designed to provide appropriate oversight of organizational funds. The Board agreed that, whenever practicable, two people should be involved in organizational expenditures, with the person approving an expenditure being different from the person making the expenditure.

The Board also discussed the organization’s startup expenses and the importance of maintaining appropriate documentation and receipts as the organization begins its operations.

These steps are intended to establish a strong foundation of accountability and responsible stewardship as Friends of Healing Springs Natural Area develops.

Working Collaboratively with Conservation Partners

A central focus of the meeting was the importance of developing productive, collaborative relationships with the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (ANHC) and the Healing Springs Property Owners Association (POA).

The Board discussed the importance of clearly defining the respective roles and responsibilities of the POA and Friends of Healing Springs Natural Area while working cooperatively toward the shared goal of protecting and stewarding Healing Springs Natural Area.

The Board is also working to ensure that its initial activities and priorities are appropriately coordinated with ANHC and the broader conservation framework for Healing Springs Natural Area. The organization will use upcoming discussions with ANHC to better understand current stewardship activities, clarify responsibilities, and identify opportunities for collaboration.

Rather than establishing operational priorities independently, the Board agreed to use these conversations to help guide the organization’s initial activities.

Trail Stewardship and Volunteer Opportunities

Trail stewardship will be an important part of Friends of Healing Springs Natural Area’s work.

The Board discussed the transition of certain trail maintenance responsibilities to the organization, along with the importance of documenting volunteer service hours. These hours will be tracked as in-kind contributions, providing an important measure of community involvement and support for the organization’s work.

The Board also identified several stewardship needs, including trail and bridge maintenance, removal of accumulated debris and other unwanted items, and coordination with ANHC regarding appropriate maintenance practices.

The Board agreed to plan a fall trail maintenance and cleanup day, with additional details to be determined. The organization also hopes to organize community hikes when cooler weather arrives, providing residents and other community members an opportunity to experience the trail system and learn more about the area’s wildlife and natural resources.

Erosion Control and Natural Resource Protection

The Board discussed the upcoming erosion control project at Little Osage Creek, near the northeast portion of Healing Springs Natural Area.

The organization will coordinate with ANHC regarding the project and use information from ongoing discussions with the Commission to help guide its own stewardship activities.

The Board’s approach is to support responsible management of Healing Springs Natural Area while ensuring that Friends of Healing Springs Natural Area’s activities complement existing conservation efforts.

Education and Community Engagement

The Board discussed several opportunities to help residents and visitors better understand and appreciate the natural resources of Healing Springs Natural Area.

These included:

• Distribution of Best Management Practices information to area property owners.
• Educational information about native and protected species.
• Potential informational signage throughout Healing Springs Natural Area.
• Potential entrance signage with QR codes directing visitors to information about the organization, volunteering, and ways to support its work.
• Community hikes and other opportunities for residents to become more familiar with the area’s trails and wildlife.

The organization also plans to use its website and Facebook page to provide regular updates, photographs, educational information, volunteer opportunities, and news about ongoing projects.

Grants and Community Support

The Board reviewed preliminary research into potential grant opportunities and discussed the importance of identifying funding sources that align with the organization’s conservation and stewardship priorities.

The Board plans to seek input from ANHC and other knowledgeable partners as it evaluates these opportunities. No grant application was authorized at this meeting. The Board may pursue an initial grant opportunity later in 2026 or in early 2027 as appropriate.

The Board also approved the concept of a community giving program that will provide residents and others who care about Healing Springs Natural Area with an opportunity to financially support the organization’s work. The program will be established following completion of the organization’s banking arrangements and will be promoted through the organization’s website and social media channels.

Looking Ahead

The first Board meeting established an important foundation for Friends of Healing Springs Natural Area as it begins moving from organizational formation into active stewardship and community engagement.

The Board’s immediate priorities are to:

• Establish productive relationships with ANHC and the Healing Springs POA.
• Coordinate stewardship activities with existing conservation efforts.
• Develop a sustainable approach to trail maintenance and volunteer involvement.
• Support responsible management of natural resources.
• Build community awareness and participation.
• Identify appropriate grant and community funding opportunities.
• Maintain strong financial and organizational controls.

The Board expects to meet again in early November 2026, with the specific date to be determined.

Friends of Healing Springs Natural Area is grateful for the support of the community and looks forward to building a long-term organization dedicated to the stewardship, preservation, education, and enjoyment of Healing Springs Natural Area.

Board of Directors

John Rogers
Jesse Johnson
Jordan Kunkel
Suzie Tylock
Leonard Ogden