FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas — Tucked away in the hills of northwest Arkansas, the Ozark Natural Science Center (ONSC) is a place where science, nature, and education come together in a hands-on, down-to-earth way. Founded in 1990 by Ken and RuAnn Ewing of Rogers, ONSC is a nonprofit that gives students and visitors a chance to explore the Ozarks in a way that’s immersive and meaningful.

ONSC’s mission is simple: connect people to the natural world. That’s done through a mix of outdoor classes, camps, hikes, and community events—all aimed at helping people, especially kids, understand and care for the environment around them.

The center sits on a beautiful patch of land in Madison County, surrounded by the Bear Hollow Natural Area and bordering the McIlroy Madison County Wildlife Management Area. With eight miles of trails and a whole lot of forest and wildlife, it’s the perfect outdoor classroom.

They host school field trips, summer camps, and even virtual programs for kids who can’t make the trip in person. Classes cover everything from astronomy to geology to local ecology. They also put on family-friendly events throughout the year, like the “Bear Hollow Hootenanny” and the “Call of the Wild” fundraiser, which help support their work.

ONSC has also expanded beyond its main campus with satellite programs at Lake Fayetteville and Kessler Mountain. These give kids in more urban areas a chance to dig into nature without having to travel far.

To learn more or get involved, visit www.onsc.us.

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