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Forest Health Highlights 1997

Arkansas

The Arkansas Forestry Commission provides forest health protection assistance to state and private land managers within the State. This program is funded cooperatively by the State and the USDA Forest Service Forest Health Protection unit.

Arkansas Forest Facts

• Over 50% of Arkansas is forested (more than 17.2 million acres).
• Over 90% of forested acreage in Arkansas is privately owned.
• The Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests (2.3 million acres) provide recreational and wildlife benefits as well as forest products and jobs for thousands of people.
• Arkansas experienced a major southern pine beetle (SPB) outbreak in 1995-96. In 1996, there were over 3,600 SPB infestations within the State. Beetle populations reached outbreak levels in 7 counties affecting 1.4 million acres. During 1997, the outbreak diminished and the outlook for 1998 is for low population levels to continue, although on the Ouachita National Forest a modest suppression project will be in place.
• An isolated gypsy moth infestation was identified in north central Arkansas in 1992. A cooperative gypsy moth eradication project involved participation by the Arkansas State Plant Board, Arkansas Forestry Commission, and USDA Forest Service. Over 43,000 acres were treated with aerial applications of a biological insecticide and after three years of post-treatment trapping, it now appears that the infestation has been successfully eradicated.

The Arkansas Forestry Commission and
USDA Forest Service

In spite of the relatively good health of Arkansas' forests, a variety of insects and diseases (both native and introduced), and human-caused impacts such as air pollution, continue to threaten the State's resources. To deal with this constantly changing mix of challenges, the Forestry Commission and the Forest Health Protection unit of the USDA Forest Service cooperate to prevent, detect, suppress and manage this multitude of threats. The partnership between the two agencies has worked for three decades to maintain and improve the health of Arkansas' forests.

Forest Health Protection contributions (dollars) to Arkansas Forestry Commission Cooperative Forest Health program, cooperative pest suppression/eradication projects, and National Forest suppression/eradication projects, 1995-98.

For additional information, contact:

Arkansas Forestry Commission
3821 W Roosevelt Road
LIttle Rock, AR 72204
(501) 296-1940

or

USDA Forest Service
Forest Health Protection
2500 Shreveport Highway
Pineville, LA 71360
(318) 473-7286