Jewel Moore Nature Reserve: A Prairie Remnant

The Jewel Moore Nature Reserve (JMNR) offers a unique glimpse into the natural history of central Arkansas. This 18-acre preserve on the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) campus represents the largest remnant of the original 2,500-acre Conway Prairie. Once a college farm in the 1940s, the area was transformed into an outdoor learning environment in the late 1970s by UCA Biology Professor Dr. Jewel Moore, for whom the reserve is named. Visitors can explore a diverse ecosystem featuring over 235 identified species of plants and animals. Trails wind through both prairie and woodland habitats, providing opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and photography. The reserve is particularly beautiful in the summer months when the wildflowers are in bloom. Interpretive signs along the trails offer insights into the local ecology. The JMNR plays a vital role in the local ecosystem, acting as a natural sponge to absorb rainfall and reduce runoff. The reserve also provides a peaceful setting for exercise and relaxation, a place where visitors can connect with nature. The JMNR is not only a place of recreation, but also an important educational resource for the university and the wider Conway community.