Big River Steel (“BRS”) a U.S. Steel company, proudly hosted the 2025 Annual Mississippi County Watershed Forum (“Forum”) on October 16th at the Larwrence Family Campus – Arkansas Northeastern College in Mississippi County, Arkansas.
The Forum continues a tradition that began in 2023 that is described as reinforcing BRS’s commitment to environmental responsibility and community collaboration.
BRS recently celebrated its ResponsibleSteelTM product certification which is described as a globally recognized achievement that reflects the facility’s dedication to environmental, social and governance principles and sustainable operations.
Attendees at the Forum were stated to have included:
- Environmental professionals.
- Extension educators.
- Government representatives.
- Community members.
Sessions at the Forum included:
- Water 101: Natalie Woods of CDM Smith introduced foundational water concepts, including sources, usage, climate impacts, and terminology.
- Introduction to Big River Steel & ResponsibleSteelTM Certification: Michele Vachon of BRS shared insights into the company’s sustainability journey.
- Water Quantity Issues in Arkansas: Corbin Cannon and Blake Forrest from the ANRC discussed updates to the Arkansas Water Plan and the status of the Wilcox Aquifer.
- Wetlands – A Beginner’s Guide: Caleb Gourley of Harbor, A Terracon Company, provided an engaging overview of wetland ecosystems and their ecological importance.
Attendees received a BRS sustainability t-shirt “Being Responsible StewardsTM” and a water conservation kit. The remaining water conservation kits were distributed by the City of Osceola and Osceola Public Library.
The Forum coincided with the national initiative to raise awareness about the value of water. Educational kits were distributed, and materials were left at City Hall to engage the broader community. BRS states it is exploring ways to align future workshops with this day and expand outreach in March 2026, to potentially partnering with local schools.
Community members are encouraged to complete the ADNR Survey and help shape future water initiatives. BRS also invites everyone to join the company in celebrating World Water Day on March 22, 2026. BRS will hold additional programming focused on water conservation education.
To explore BRS’s full Water Stewardship Plan, visit https://bit.ly/48C20Zl
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