The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Why You Should Visit
Terre Noire Preserve and Natural Area is one of the best remaining blackland prairie complexes in the state. It is located in the northeast part of the blackland region of Arkansas, where the plant communities differ in composition from those to the southwest. Blackland prairie is considered an extension of the tallgrass prairie of the Midwest and Eastern Great Plains. Visitors to Terre Noire can see many wildflowers from early spring to the fall.

Location
Clark County

Size
This 490-acre landscape is composed of the 75-acre tract owned by The Nature Conservancy and the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission and 415 additional acres owned by the Commission.

What to See: Plants
Terre Noire contains several prairie openings separated by small watercourses that are bordered by dense thickets of small trees, shrubs and vines. The prairies are dominated by little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), although other grasses are common:

• Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
• longspike tridens (Tridens strictus)
• tall dropseed (Sporobolus asper)
• Florida paspalum (Paspalum floridanum)
• eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides)

Wildflowers bloom from early spring to fall and include:

• blazing star (Liatris spp.)
• pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida)
• compass plant (Silphium laciniatum)
• gum plant (Grindelia lanceolata)
• wild petunia (Ruellia humilis)
• lance-leaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
• ironweed (Vernonia baldwinii)

List of plants at Terre Noire

What to See: Animals
The Bachman's sparrow (Aimophila aestivalis), a species of concern in Arkansas, has been recorded here. Bachman's sparrow and the field sparrow (Spizella pusilla) are adapted to the small openings that typify the blackland prairie community.

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
The blackland region of Arkansas has been badly degraded. Because of its high and medium quality native prairies and woodlands, Terre Noire was identified as critically important to conserving the blackland ecosystem. With its close proximity to the city of Arkadelphia, the site required immediate protection from urbanization.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
Terre Noire Natural Area was established in 1991 through a cooperative effort between The Nature Conservancy and the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. Stewardship at Terre Noire includes restoring the mosaic of prairie openings within oak/pine forest, and maintaining the assemblage of naturally occurring blackland prairie species. Prescribed burning, cedar cutting, prairie seeding and erosion control by staff and volunteers have ridded the prairie of much woody vegetation and have boosted populations of native prairie plants.

The Conservancy will continue to conduct burns, closely mimicking a natural fire regime, to promote natural species diversity. Scientists are monitoring to determine the effectiveness of management actions on restoring plant community structure and composition.

How to Prepare for Your Visit
There are no marked trails. The terrain ranges from nearly level to moderately steep slopes.

Sturdy hiking shoes, insect repellent and sunscreen are recommended. Carry plenty of drinking water.

Things To Do

Plan Your Visit

Directions

• From Arkadelphia, take Highway 51 west about eight miles to the convergence of Highway 26
• Stay to the left on Highway 51 and proceed for 1/2 mile
• The preserve is on the left
• Parking is available along the south shoulder of Highway 51 in front of the preserve sign.

Discussion

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Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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