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, will when complete feature 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 of our environment, 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 Trail System

Click map for larger view

Riddle Cabin – On our site we have reconstructed a log cabin. Its origin dates back nearly 100 years. The cabin was the birthplace (although not at this location) of the late, noted folk music singer and historian Almeda Riddle. Click here to watch an interview with Ms. Riddle.

Docents – South Fork Nature Center also features its docents! A docent is a person who leads guided tours and provides programs and outdoor classroom learning.

Docents might come from a primary or secondary school, a college or university where they have taught or they may be a naturalist or master gardener. Docents bring SFNS to life; they help reveal and unfold the beauty of nature to enhance ones level of enjoyment. Our docents drive SFNS’s aspirations and educational component. Come to South Fork and enjoy walks with our docents the third Saturday of the month, March through October.

Ten docents were on hand to guide students through projects and learning that enhanced their love and appreciation for the out-of-doors “celebrating of nature.”

Earth Day thoughts and discussions were top on their minds as they wrote journal entries and were artistic in designing collages about nature.