LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Jan. 15, 2016) – The Fourche Creek Watershed and a report card on the progress of the City’s 2020 Sustainability Roadmap will be among the highlights of the Seventh Annual Sustainability Summit, scheduled for March 31, 2016, at the Clinton Presidential Center. Nominations are now open for the Sustain the Rock awards, which recognize those who have taken a lead in promoting sustainable practices.

A major focus area for this year’s summit will be Fourche Creek, which stretches across the City of Little Rock and includes several wetlands in its nearly 108,000 acreas. Approximately 75 percent of Little Rock’s drainage ends up at the Fourche, which is home to nearly 50 species of fish as well as other wildlife.

The summit’s guest speaker will be nationally recognized author Chad Pregracke, founder Living Lands & Waters. Pregracke, who grew up with the Mississippi River in his back yard, has made it his organization’s mission to lead conservation and preservation efforts for the nation’s rivers and watersheds.

The 2020 Sustainability Roadmap includes 17 emphasis areas. This year, the Mayor’s Sustainability Commission and partners will focus on three goals related to the roadmap: commercial organic waste recycling, the Complete Streets adoption, and Fourche Creek conservation.

Nominations for the Sustain the Rock awards can be submitted to the chair of the Little Rock Sustainability Commission, Ben Brenner at bbrenner@mwlaw.com. The awards, presented at the summit, recognize individuals, non-profit organizations, and businesses for their contributions to a more livable Little Rock through embracing and promoting sustainable practices.

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