The Friends of Fourche Creek were presented with the Dr. John L. Gray Forestry Conservationist of the Year Award by the Arkanas Wildlife Federation at a banquet on July 28, 2018. This award is for demonstrating outstanding leadership in the management of Arkansas's forest resources. 

The Friends of Fourche Creek, a coalition led by Audubon Arkansas, was recognized for our efforts to restore and revitalize Little Rock's main waterway and its forested wetlands. A special focus is the 1,800-acre bottomland hardwood forest called Fourche Bottoms. Litter cleanups, trail building, boat ramp installation, and invasive species control are among the actions being taken. The Friends of Fourche Creek envision a thriving and resilient Fourche Creek as a cherished natural asset providing citizens and visitors alike with robust and diverse habitats for plant and animal life; linkage to the regional system of parks and trails; and cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities, all in the heart of Little Rock.