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America's First National River Approaching Its 50th Birthday

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By Compiled From N... - November 26th, 2021

America's first national river, the Buffalo, turns 50 in 2022/NPS

America's first national river, the Buffalo, is closing in on its 50th anniversary in 2022, and a series of special events is coming together for the year.

Preparation for and presentation of these events are made possible by the hard work and volunteerism of many park and community partners, including Buffalo National River Partners, Buffalo River Historic Jail and Museum, Arkansas Master Naturalists, and Lucky Star Farm.  

“The creation of Buffalo National River was the first of its kind. We would love for our communities and park visitors to come celebrate this incredible park and what it has been, is, and will be," said Buffalo River Superintendent Mark Foust. "Please join us as we share the river, its resources, and history throughout the year. Just like the park itself, the celebrations offer a little bit of everything for all to enjoy.” 

Buffalo National River was originally designated by Congress as a public park in 1972 to conserve the unique scenic and scientific features of the area, while preserving as free flowing an important segment of the Buffalo River for the enjoyment of future generations. The planned events weekends in 2022 celebrating the 50th anniversary of Buffalo National River are as follows:   

  • History Weekend February 26th -March 1st, 2022, celebrating the rich cultural history of the area and the creation of the park.  
    • Saturday, February 26th, 2022: Oral History StoryCorps Event.  Buffalo National River Oral History – StoryCorps Archive Collecting oral histories from those who have stories to tell about their experiences at the river or around the creation of the National River in 1972.   Location To Be Announced 
    • Saturday, February 26th, 2022: Talk on the geologic history of the area presented at Buffalo Point.  
    • Sunday, February 27th, 2022: A presentation at St. Joe High School Auditorium discussing current and historical tribal connections to Buffalo National River. Coordinated by Bob King of the Buffalo River Historic Jail and Museum     
    • March 1st, 2022: Science Symposium held at North Arkansas College including an opening ceremony for the anniversary year and a celebration with birthday cake! 
  • Art in the Park Weekend June 9th-12th, 2022, celebrating the ways in which Buffalo National River inspires artistic endeavors.   
    • Thursday, June 9th, 2022: Student Film Fest at the Kenda Drive-in. 
    • Friday, June 10th, 2022: Folk Story Telling Night at the Buffalo Point Campground Amphitheater. Coordinated by Lucky Star Farm 
    • Saturday, June 11th, 2022: Music Festival at Tyler Bend, featuring artists demonstrating traditional Ozark music traditions and how the river inspires modern creations.  Hosted by Buffalo National River and Buffalo National River Partners.  
    • Sunday, June 12th, 2022: The Chinelos Morelenses Unidos en Arkansas, a Mexican American Dance group from Springdale, will perform at Steel Creek and speak about the inspiration they gather from nature and visiting the Buffalo River area.   
  • Park RX Weekend October 8th - 9th, 2022, celebrating the natural resources at Buffalo National River and the health benefits they provide. 
    • All weekend, throughout the park there will be a photo geocaching scavenger hunt.  
    • Saturday, October 8th, 2022: “Yoga in the Park” with yoga instructors at the Steel Creek and the Buffalo Point campgrounds.   
    • Saturday, October 8th”, 2022: Moon Party at the Tyler Bend pavilion, a program to view the moon with telescopes and discuss the importance of the night sky.  
    • Sunday, October 9th, 2022: Naturalization Ceremony held at the Ozark Campground Pavilion, naturalizing 15 new United Stated Citizens.

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Comments

Submitted by Chris White on November 28, 2021 - 8:16am.

The headline is misleading:  From the NPS Website:Ozark National Scenic Riverways was created by an Act of Congress on August 27, 1964, to protect 134 miles of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers in the Ozark Highlands of southeastern Missouri. Ozark NSR was the nation's first "scenic riverways" - a forerunner to the Wild and Scenic River Act by four years.


Submitted by Marty Koch on November 30, 2021 - 7:21pm.

The Current and Jacks Fork Rivers for designated as America's first national Scenic Riverway and the Buffalo as the first here on the national River. Two different designations under the auspices of the National Park Service. And they are big


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