Johnelle Hunt
Johnelle Hunt, the co-founder of J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. of Lowell, pledged $5 million toward the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission’s campaign to build a nature center in Springdale.
The Game & Fish Foundation, the commission’s fundraising arm, has to raise a matching $5 million to receive the donation. Foundation President Chuck Dicus said the $15 million capital campaign has been in “silent phase” for a few months before Hunt let Dicus know three weeks ago the Hunt family wanted to make the donation.
“It’s a great way to start,” Dicus said. “This is a great kickoff.”
The foundation announced the donation at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale on Friday. The commission wants to build the nature center on 60 acres of land at the southwest corner of Wagon Wheel Road and Interstate 49.
The land will be donated by the Springdale Water & Sewer Commission through the city, but that agreement has not been finalized, Dicus said. Dicus said the commission has four nature centers in the state, with the nearest to northwest Arkansas in Fort Smith.
“Typically, they’re conservation-education centers where visitors and schoolchildren can be introduced to the many, many aspects of nature,” Dicus said. “It’s not just hunting and fishing.”
Dicus said the center would have an archery range, a biking and hiking trail and a nature observation trail that will link with the Razorback Greenway. Dicus said his 20-plus year friendship with Hunt, along with the Hunt’s family support of nature projects, helped the donation come to pass.
“She does value what this type of facility will do for northwest Arkansas and children,” Dicus said. “It will teach them something they don’t get in school.”
Sign up for Daily E-news
