The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, ANHC, has been tasked with a large role: protecting prime tracts of land that best represent Arkansas’ natural landscape dating back to the early 1800s. This is done through their System of Natural Areas. These lands are specifically managed to preserve and restore habitat that reflects the state’s natural heritage and biodiversity.
This year is a 50th anniversary milestone for ANHC and this work.
“We are excited to celebrate 50 years of success in preserving our state’s natural heritage,” said Bill Holimon, agency director at the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. “This success has been made possible through a combination of our Heritage Program, our research section, and our Natural Areas Program and many great partnerships. Our Heritage Program continues to advance our knowledge of and help prioritize protection of important natural areas. Our Natural Areas Program supports numerous natural communities and species of conservation concern, sites that also serve as living museums for those interested in being closely connected to nature or want to see what the land in Arkansas looked like in its early statehood.”
Singer Forest Natural Area was Arkansas’ first natural area and was donated by the Singer Company in 1973. Roth Prairie then became the first natural area purchased by ANHC and it came into the fold a few years later. From there the work continued and currently there are 79 natural areas in the state with acreage spread across 50 of the state's 75 counties.
Since its creation in 1973, ANHC has worked with partners such as The Nature Conservancy, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and Arkansas State Parks to protect and manage areas of high ecological importance. Data from the ANHC Heritage program helps identify and prioritize important areas to protect so that conservation dollars are used where most needed. Land is added to the System to protect habitat for rare species from willing sellers as opportunities arise.
“We explore and assess needs and opportunities each year to ensure representative examples of the variety of natural communities that occur in Arkansas are adequately protected and to manage for species of conservation concern,” said Holimon.
Protecting these lands is a main priority for ANHC as is spreading the word about their importance. ANHC is a main source in the state for data on rare animals, plants and natural communities. Programs that center on outreach and education have also been created.