Water Conservation

Rain Gardens

Rain gardens help protect water quality by reducing the polluted runoff that reaches our lakes, streams, and rivers.

Learn more about rain gardens

Home Water Conservation

Rain gardens help protect water quality by reducing the polluted runoff that reaches our lakes, streams, and rivers.

Get tips for saving water and money

How to Build a Rain Barrel

Rain gardens help protect water quality by reducing the polluted runoff that reaches our lakes, streams, and rivers.

Watch our how-to video!

Is it legal to collect rain water in Arkansas?

Unlike in western states, collecting rainwater in a barrel for gardening or other uses has no restrictions in Arkansas.

Read about water rights

The Arkansas Conservation Partnership

The Arkansas Conservation Partnership (ACP) is a unique force, combining the strengths of federal, state and local organizations along with educational institutions, to help preserve and protect The Natural State.

The Partnership promotes a conservation ethic to enhance the ability of its members to serve rural and urban communities and strives to more effectively assist private landowners in meeting the conservation challenges of the 21st century.

The six most important natural resource issues the Partnership focuses on are:

• water resources
• land resource management
• conservation education and outreach
• forestry health
• Farm Bill implementation
• community development

Additional information may be found at the National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA).

Members of The Arkansas Conservation Partnership:

	Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service - Water Sustainability Conservation research and education is coordinated by Dr. Mike Daniels, Professor of Environmental Quality and Nutrient Management on behalf of the University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture.
	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff With an emphasis on rural development, the School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences (SAFHS) strives to help improve the quality of life for people in Arkansas, the nation, and the world. The Office of International Programs, within SAFHS, is vital to achieving global effectiveness and success.
	Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts (AACD) Conservation districts are local governments at work and their specific responsibility is management of our soil and water resources.
	Arkansas Association of Conservation District Employees (AACDE) AACDE is a district employee organization operated by the district employees with the support and approval of individual district boards. AACDE is affiliated with AACD and works with its partner agencies to promote conservation programs and agendas.
	Arkansas Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils, Inc. (RC&D) RC&D is a rural development effort of the USDA providing tools and technical support to stabilize and grow local communities while protecting and developing natural resources.  There are 7 RC&D areas which cover the entire state of Arkansas.
	Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC) AFC works with agencies, organizations and residents to prevent and suppress wildfires, control forest insects and disease, grow and distribute trees, and gather and disseminate information concerning the growth, use and renewal of forests.
	Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) ANRC establishes policy and makes funding and regulatory decisions relative to soil conservation, nutrient management, water rights, dam safety and water resources planning and development.
	Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - Arkansas | USDA NRCS is a conservation leader for all natural resources, ensuring private lands are conserved, restored, and more resilient to environmental challenges, like climate change.

Additional Resources

Division of Agriculture Websites

	UAEX Public Policy Center The Public Policy Center exists to provide Arkansans with timely, credible, unbiased and research-based information and education about public issues.  Water-related issues include Arkansas Watersheds and Stormwater Education.
	Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences Dept | UofA | Bumpers College CSES faculty research involves primarily agricultural interests in providing food and fiber, but faculty also research problems affecting communities and environmental concerns.

Conservation-Related Websites | State and Regional

	Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) - Water Division ADEQ strives to protect and enhance the state's environment through regulatory programs, proactive programs and educational activities.
	Arkansas State Plant Board (ASPB) The Plant Board regulates products and services such as seed, feed, fertilizer, pesticides, weights and measures, petroleum, honeybees, plant pests, nurseries and pest control services.
	ArkansasWater.org Administered by AACD, this website compiles and shares water quality information and resources.
	Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) | USDA SARE grants and education program has advanced agricultural innovation that promotes profitability, stewardship of the land, air and water, and quality of life for farmers, ranchers and their communities.
	United States Geological Survey (USGS) | Water Resources of Arkansas The USGS is a science organization that provides impartial information on the health of our ecosystems and environment, the natural hazards that threaten us, the natural resources we rely on, the impacts of climate and land-use change, and the core science systems that help us provide timely, relevant, and usable information.

Conservation Programs

	ANRC Tax Credit Programs Available under the Water Resource Conservation and Development Incentives Act, available tax credits include impoundments, conversion, and leveling.
	Arkansas NRCS Conservation Programs - Natural Resources Conservation Service | USDA NRCS conservation programs help people reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters.