RAF CELEBRATES RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

RAF Arkansas Liaison Dave Powell received a Holiday card from The Nature Conservancy’s Arkansas Director Roger Manghan. The entire Arkansas staff had signed it, and Roger had penned the following message that we want to share with you:

“RAF is such an important org and we are so very lucky for both your partnership & friendship! Thanks for all you’re doing in Arkansas . . . and across the entire nation! Happy Holidays, Always, Roger.”

“The Arkansas TNC/RAF relationship is one we at the RAF appreciate,” RAF Chairman John McKenna said. “This note we received makes me very happy, as well as proud.”

John Nadeau of Massachusetts, one of the RAF’s first liaisons, had initiated dialog with The Nature Conservancy. Nadeau was well versed in state recreational liability laws and was able to provide information about public use of privately owned airfields. Arkansas Liaison Harper Goodwin already had a good neighbor relationship with TNC since his property is surrounded on three sides by TNC land. He and Powell approached TNC about creating an airfield above the Kings River. The Trigger Gap airfield and pavilion were built by RAF and Fly Oz volunteers and has become a well-loved airplane camping destination. Local volunteers stock firewood, and maintain the camping area. Powell says, “We have a real community that cares, and respects what TNC has given us.”

After the successful completion of Trigger Gap, the RAF turned its attention to a TNC-owned airfield in Maine along the St. John’s River, and eventually signed a lease for continued access to Red Pine airport. Since then, volunteers have continued making improvements to camping amenities. “The relationship in Arkansas really helped us get this done here in Maine,” RAF Maine Liaison Andy Rowe pointed out, adding, “It has been a great pleasure working with the world’s largest private conservation organization for the last decade! Opening up Red Pine for more access with lower impact should benefit both TNC and recreational aviation for decades.”

Powell puts it this way. “Relationships are so important, and ours is excellent. We continually ask TNC what we can do for them. We’ve taken them for flights to survey potential lands to acquire by air. They invite us on river trips. We’re like family.”

Submitted December 23, 2024
By Carmine Mowbray