Visitors walking the half-mile Eagle Watch Nature Trail at Flint Creek Power Plant are now greeted by a striking new presence along the lake, a six-foot-tall carved bald eagle standing watch in one of Northwest Arkansas’ most beloved wildlife sanctuaries.

The massive wooden sculpture, carved from an old tree that was already scheduled to be removed, is the latest addition to SWEPCO’s Eagle Watch and Nature Trail near Gentry, Arkansas. Blending seamlessly into its natural surroundings, the piece offers a powerful focal point for visitors while honoring the very wildlife the trail was created to protect. 

Created by full-time chainsaw artist Colt LaRue, the eagle features its wings tucked and a steady forward gaze, echoing the real bald eagles that winter each year at SWEPCO Lake.

“This is the biggest eagle I’ve done to date,” LaRue said. “It was an enormous log, and it would have been a shame to waste it.”

Originally planned as a smaller carving, the project quickly grew into something much larger. It became a true team effort that combined vision, craftsmanship, and a shared desire to create something meaningful. Today, the sculpture stands nearly six feet tall and is located less than 100 feet from one of the trail’s pavilions, making it easily accessible and visible from the road.

Since its installation, the carving has already become an interactive landmark.

“I came through one day and saw a family playing around it and taking pictures,” LaRue said. “Honestly, that made my week. I love making interactive pieces. Seeing people enjoy it like that reminds me why I do this.”

To celebrate the addition, SWEPCO invited employees and community members to participate in a naming contest across its digital platforms. The winning name, “Liberty, the Sentinel of Flint Creek,” reflects both the spirit of the sculpture and the shared pride of the community that helped bring it to life.

“What I love most is how quickly this eagle became ours,” said Ricky Weber, Flint Creek and Mattison Plant Manager. “From the work that brought it to life to the naming contest that invited employees and the community to weigh in, it is a reminder that the best additions to this place are the ones we build together.”

That same spirit of togetherness was on full display during Earth Day 2026, as community members, students, and local organizations gathered at Eagle Watch to celebrate conservation and stewardship.

The morning began with an educational Q and A session led by Northsong Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center from Fayetteville. Their team shared insights into caring for injured and orphaned birds across Northwest Arkansas and brought hands-on educational materials to help attendees connect with local wildlife.

This year’s event also featured a partnership with American Heritage Girls Troop AR1815 of Fayetteville. The faith-based scouting group, dedicated to building women of integrity through service, organized a project that celebrated the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States while supporting the natural environment.

Their contributions were both symbolic and impactful. Troop members planted at least 250 sunflower seeds to represent 250 years of American history, assembled nine birdhouses, two bat houses, and four pollinator houses, and created two patriotically painted pollinator watering stations. They also crafted 10 beaded garden stakes to add color to the community pollinator gardens.

Local Gentry students also played an important role by helping clean and restore pollinator beds while planting additional pollinator-friendly plants. Their efforts supported the health of the surrounding ecosystem and reinforced the site’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.

Both groups demonstrated a strong work ethic, positive attitudes, and a shared dedication to preserving the natural beauty of the Eagle Watch Trail.

Together, these efforts, from the towering carved eagle to the smallest sunflower seed, reflect what makes Flint Creek special. It is a place where conservation, creativity, and community come together.

“This eagle is more than a carving, it is a promise,” Weber said. “It reflects what we value at Flint Creek, doing the right thing with what we have, respecting the natural place we call home, and building something the community can gather around.”

Visitors can experience Liberty year-round during regular trail hours, alongside the pollinator gardens and wildlife habitats enhanced by this year’s Earth Day efforts. As bald eagles continue to soar above SWEPCO Lake each winter, one will remain on watch below, a lasting symbol of what can take root when people come together with purpose.