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Prescribed Fire

Verity Callahan — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 16:42:40 +0000

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Prescribed Fire

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Private Lands Habitat Division

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Landowners

Sept. 26 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Benton Event Center

You’re invited to enjoy a fun-filled day with AGFC and our partners! Celebrate landowner successes, participate in several breakout sessions to explore ways to improve your land for wildlife and check out new and innovative equipment to help you manage your property. The keynote presentation and catfish fry are included in admission.

Prescribed fire is controlled burn applied in a knowledgeable manner on a specific land area under selected weather conditions to accomplish predetermined, well-defined land management objectives. It is one of the most beneficial habitat improvement tools you can use on your private lands for wildlife to provide year-round food and cover. These benefits are generally best achieved with an active management plan and applying fire every 3-5 years.

View the Guidebook For Prescribed Burning in the Southern Region for more detailed information.

Prescribed Fire Burning Benefits

The goal of prescribed fire is not to reduce to ashes all that grows on the landscape– it’s a tool that’s carefully tuned to make healthy adjustments so a particular plant or animal species can thrive. Among other outcomes, prescribed fire can:

Provide wildlife habitat in the form of food and cover;
Limit invasive species;
Promote wildflower and plant diversity;
Maintain fire-dependent plant and animal communities;
Maintain healthy ecosystems.

Prescribed fires can also:

Reduce leaves, wood, and other debris that can fuel wildfires;
Increase the diversity of plants on your property by allowing sunlight to reach the soil and encourage germination of native seeds;
Prevent future wildfires;
Control the amount of pests;
Enhance the aesthetic and beauty of the land;
Improve the quality of the water.

Combined with proper forest management practices, prescribed fire is transformational for wildlife habitat. Additional sunlight reaching the ground allows a diversity of native plants to grow, which in turn provides fawning and brood-rearing cover for protection as well as increased fruit and seed production at ground level. This increases insect life for young birds such as turkey and quail, as well as seasonal nut and acorn production of remaining trees by allowing space for crown development. A grassland or forest well managed by prescribed fire will increase nutritional carrying capacity for the wildlife it supports.

Before

After

Assistance Available for Implementing Prescribed Fire

AGFC provides landowners with incentives for implementing prescribed fire on their private land. For more information contact one of our Private Lands Biologists.
Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs) are groups of landowners who pool their knowledge, equipment and resources to conduct prescribed fires together. Membership allows local PBA’s access to burn trailers, training and other resources from the Arkansas State Prescribed Burn Association. For more information visit the Arkansas State Prescribed Burn Associations page.
AGFC and Quail Forever biologists can assist in conducting prescribed burns, along with private contractors and consultants.
Qualified prescribed burners are individuals who are trained to conduct prescribed burns in Arkansas. According to the Arkansas Prescribed Burning Act (Act 695), landowners are granted liability protection when qualified burns are conducted. Learn more about the qualified prescribed burner program and how to register.

What is a Prescribed Burn Association?

Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs) are groups of landowners who form partnerships to pool their knowledge, equipment, and other resources to conduct prescribed fires. While this is a recently developed program in Arkansas, there are established PBAs in surrounding states. They generally have a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and board members. Once a prescribed burn association is established, they will receive training and can apply for a burn trailer and equipment provided in partnership by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Quail Forever, and United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

If you are interested in more information about Prescribed Burn Associations or starting a Prescribed Burn Association in your county, please contact Courtney Todd at: ctodd@quailforever.org.

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Express Interest For The 2025 Conservation Incentive Program

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Conservation Incentive Program (CIP)

Verity Callahan — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 21:28:55 +0000

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Conservation Incentive Program (CIP)

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Private Lands Habitat Division

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Landowners

Sept. 26 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Benton Event Center

Find Public Access to Private Waters Near You

At the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, our mission is to conserve and enhance our state’s wildlife and their habitats. It’s a job we take to heart and one we never take for granted. But our state is vast and only 10% of it is public land that we can manage. We need partners. People who are part of this natural wonder every day of their lives. Landowners who appreciate the unique resources that few have, and who take the responsibility of their land seriously.

Landowners are, and always have been, the cornerstone to conservation efforts and wildlife management in our state. If you’re willing to put in the effort and do the hard work with us, we’re willing to reward you for it.

We have numerous programs that will make your land more valuable to the fish and wildlife on your property, that reflect our shared values and will help keep The Natural State, natural.

AGFC would also like to express appreciation of our partners in the Arkansas General Assembly and Arkansas Legislative Council for their support for this program.

Click here to find a Private Lands Biologist in your area.

Applications for the Conservation Incentive Program will be available on September 1 and close September 30. Please be aware that all applications will go through a ranking period after they close, and only the highest-ranking projects will be selected for funding. We anticipate to notify all applicants of their approval status after the ranking period has concluded.

Click below to watch a video about the 2024 Conservation Incentive Program.

For more information, download our Conservation Incentive Program guide.

Purpose
Forest management practices improve the habitat conditions in hardwood and pine forests to achieve ecological benefits for ground-nesting birds such as northern bobwhite and eastern wild turkey.

Practice
Eligible lands are upland hardwood or pine forest with a current basal area greater than 80 square feet per acre that would benefit from management-promoting understory plants for nesting, brood rearing and feeding resources for ground-nesting birds. Treatment must reduce forest density by a minimum of 30% and will target primarily trees 8 inch diameter at breast height (dbh) and smaller. Forested stands with a current basal area greater than 120 square feet per acre are also eligible but will not be reduced to more than 50% basal area. Management options include timber stand improvement using herbicide (hack and squirt), cut and drop, and cut stump. Herbicide applicators must follow specific product label recommendations for the hack-and-squirt method of tree injection.

Timber Stand Improvement:$200/acre

Monitoring
AGFC staff or its agents will conduct at least one monitoring check to confirm completion of listed management practices, objectives were met and to ensure best management practices were followed.

Required Documentation

Property boundary map
Approved management plan with map and documentation of author

Purpose
Prescribed burns improve forest, woodland, savanna and native grassland habitats for wildlife. Outcomes will enhance habitat diversity by increasing native plant quality, quantity and vigor for wildlife use throughout their life cycles.

Practice
Qualifying firebreaks must be established using best management practices and designed as part of a prescribed burn plan written by a prescribed fire professional. Qualifying prescribed burns are restricted to predominantly native vegetation or as an approved project to restore native vegetation. Prescribed burning of agricultural stubble or pastures/hay meadows with introduced grasses does not qualify.

Dozer Lines: $1.50 per linear foot

Prescribed Burning: $50/acre

Payment will be made once all practices are completed. An approved burn plan written by professional burner will need to be provided for payment.

Monitoring
AGFC staff or its agents will conduct one monitoring check following the completion of firebreak installation to ensure best management practices were followed and lines were installed correctly. AGFC staff or its agents will conduct one monitoring postburn to ensure the approved burn plan objectives were met.

Required Documentation

Property Boundary Map
Approved management plan with map and documentation of author

Purpose
Incentivizing control of non native (invasive) tree species encourages landowners to help reduce the threats and impacts of invasive plant species to Arkansas’s wildlife and plant communities, and the habitats in which they occur.

Practice
A part of integrated vegetation management is the removal of invasive woody plants as outlined in an approved management plan. Invasive tree species that qualify include: Chinese Tallow, Tree of Heaven, and Callery Pear. The removal process must include the use of herbicide. This practice is intended to restore the desired plant community consistent with the ecological site. Herbicides must be used according to the product label and align with an approved habitat management plan.

Invasive Tree Removal:$200/acre

Payment will be made once practice is completed.

Click here for more information about Arkansas’s Aquatic Nuisance Species.

Click here for more information about Arkansas’s terrestrial invasive plants.

Required Documentation

Property boundary map
Approved management plan with map and documentation of author

AGFC Conservation Incentive Program

Program Coordinator

Phone 833-345-0325

Email conservationincentiveprogram@agfc.ar.gov

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Arkansas Wildlife Rehabilitators for Species Other Than Birds

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Wildlife Rehabilitation

Rhen Wilson — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 20:39:11 +0000

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Wildlife Rehabilitation

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Wildlife Management

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Wildlife Rehabilitation

Rehabilitating Wildlife in Arkansas

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission oversees a system of rehabilitators that take in sick, injured or orphaned animals and rehabilitate them for release back into the wild. These wildlife rehabilitators must be experienced in the care of wild animals and have a veterinarian working with them to provide advice. A wildlife rehabilitation permit is required to provide medical care for injured wildlife or to raise orphaned wildlife for release back into the wild. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regulates rehabilitation of wildlife other than birds, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulates rehabilitation of birds. Please keep in mind that:

Rehabilitators are not AGFC employees.
Rehabilitators are volunteers who receive no compensation for their services; they do this out of the goodness of their hearts and pay for care out of pocket.
Rehabilitators accept (and many desperately need) donations to offset costs of food, veterinary care and transportation (fuel costs) of animals they accept from the public.

Arkansas Migratory Bird Rehabilitators

Applications for Permits

Application for Apprentice Class Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit

Application for General Class Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit

An AGFC Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit does NOT allow for the rehabilitation of white-tailed deer, elk, black bears, or birds.
Rehabilitators cannot possess Arkansas wildlife taken from the wild as pets.
Once issued a wildlife rehabilitation permit, you must submit the annual report form every year by January 31st to renew your permit.
Veterinarians may temporarily possess, stabilize or euthanize sick/ injured wildlife (with the exception of deer/elk) without a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit.

Anyone thinking of becoming a wildlife rehabilitator should consider whether it’s right for them. Some factors to consider are:

Do you have adequate space (separate from people and pets) to house and care for wildlife?
Do you have money needed to buy food and supplies to care for wild animals?
Are you prepared to care for animals with serious injuries or disease?
Are you prepared to euthanize animals that cannot be effectively treated?
Can you keep from getting emotionally attached to animals in order to release them back into the wild?
Do you have the time (2 or more hours/day) to adequately care for wild animals?
Is it legal in your area? Some towns/counties have rules prohibiting the possession of wildlife.
You cannot become a wildlife rehabilitator if you possess Arkansas wildlife as pets.

If wildlife rehabilitation is right for you, here are the steps to get an AGFC Wildlife Rehabilitation permit for wildlife other than birds:

Thoroughly read all AGFC wildlife rehabilitation regulations. Obtain a copy of the Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation produced by the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association and International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council. This document is incorporated into Commission regulations. You must obtain cages/pens that meet these standards.
Find a general class wildlife rehabilitator that will agree to assist in your training. It would be best if this person is located near you. They do not have to physically oversee your activities but are there to provide advice.
Submit an AGFC Application for Apprentice Class Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit. You will need:
1. General class rehabilitator support
2. Veterinarian support (to provide consulting and services as needed)
3. City or county compliance (via signed ordinance compliance form or letter)
4. Acknowledgement of minimum standards compliance
After receiving your Apprentice Class Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit, you can start caring for up to 6 animals at a time (exception: up to 20 baby opossums at a time). You must submit an annual report to AGFC each year to renew your permit.
Complete 2 years as an active apprentice rehabilitator.
Submit an AGFC Application for General Class Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit. General Class has no restrictions on the number of animals you can care for. You will need:
1. Letter of recommendation from a general class rehabilitator
2. Veterinarian support
3. City or county compliance (not required if still valid from apprentice application)
4. Acknowledgement of minimum standards compliance

Please note: If you fall into the following categories, you do not need to complete an apprenticeship to apply for a general class permit: 1) you had an AGFC General Class Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit (or equivalent permit issued by another state) within the last 5 years or 2) you are an International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator.

Wildlife rehabilitators in the State of Arkansas are not employees or volunteers of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. They hold permits issued by AGFC but operate independently in accordance with guidelines set forward by the agency. Wildlife Rehabilitators invest their personal time and resources into these activities and are very appreciative of public support. If you would like to help a wildlife rehabilitator in your area, there are several things you can do:

Volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation facility. Volunteers are often needed to help transport or care for animals.
Donate to a wildlife rehabilitation facility to help with operating expenses, supplies, and/or medical care.
Host a supply drive to collect the items that rehabilitators use most often. This is a great way for families, school or church groups, scouting troops, and others to show their support.

Milk Replacement Formulas (Ex. Kitten Milk Replacer, Puppy Esbilac, Zoologic®Milk Matrix 33/40, etc.)
Syringes and latex nipples for feeding (Ex. Miracle Nipple® in multiple sizes)
Baby foods and cereals
Dry dog or cat food
Fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts (a variety, raw and unseasoned)
Nutritional supplements and probiotics (ex. Nutri-Cal®, Bene-Bac®)
Grass hays (ex. timothy hay, alfalfa, etc.)
Puppy housetraining pads or newspaper
Soft blankets, towels or pillowcases
Unscented baby wipes
Cotton swabs (ex. Q-tips)
Pet hammocks
Adjustable heating pads
Disposable gloves
Paper towels
Trash bags
Disinfection and deodorizing products
Pet carriers and kennels
Pet food/water bowls (heavy bowls preferred to prevent spilling)

Resources

Documents:

Websites:

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Click Here to Learn More About Habitat Management Projects Across the State

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Habitat Management

Rhen Wilson — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 20:25:38 +0000

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Habitat Management

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Wildlife Habitat

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Conservation

Landowners

Wildlife Habitat

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s certification to the Sustainable Forest Initiative® standards not only demonstrates the agency’s commitment to responsible forestry, but it also helps ensure clean, abundant water supplies. Healthy, properly managed forests minimize soil erosion, moderate water temperatures, reduce sediment and absorb polluting chemicals. By adhering to SFI standards, the AGFC helps conserve millions of acres of watersheds – which means better, cleaner water across North America. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is proud to be a part of that work and gratified that the agency’s forests contribute to Arkansas’s own water conservation efforts.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has approximately 300,000 acres of forestland certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Forest Management Standard.

AGFC Commitment to Indigenous People’s Rights

Wetland Assessments

The following wetland assessments guide a user through evaluating the quality and function of a given wetland.

Wetland Conservation, Restoration and Management in the Ouachita and Saline River Valleys

Wetland Conservation, Restoration and Management in the West Gulf Coastal Plain

AGFC Wildlife Management Plan

2024-2033 Wildlife Management Division Strategic Plan

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