(LITTLE ROCK, AR) — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) made a unanimous decision during its regular meeting on Thursday to grant authority to AGFC Director Austin Booth for the acquisition of over 493 acres of property. This land will be integrated into the Jamestown Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Independence County.
The additional property consists of two separate tracts bordering the current boundaries of the WMA, creating a connection between two outlying parcels. This strategic expansion will augment the total size of the WMA to an impressive 1,464 acres. The development aligns with the ongoing management plan, emphasizing the preservation of an open hardwood forest in a region traditionally dominated by commercial pine stands.
During the meeting’s opening session, Randy Brents, Assistant Chief of the AGFC’s Private Lands Habitat Division, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the agency’s prescribed fire initiative. The initiative aims to manage extensive woodlands, such as the Jamestown WMA. Brents highlighted the benefits of purposeful, controlled fires set at regular intervals, emphasizing their role in reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires and promoting diverse plant communities crucial for wildlife.
“We observe game birds like northern bobwhites and turkeys utilizing these opened areas, along with numerous nongame species that thrive in environments with an open canopy,” Brents stated. “The combination of fire and forest thinning contributes to a more diverse plant landscape, supporting a healthier wildlife population.”
Director Booth also addressed the topic of prescribed fire in his report to the Commission. His focus was on the increased support extended to private landowners through the agency’s Conservation Incentive Program.
Booth highlighted two key observations upon joining the Commission in 2021: the limited capacity of the AGFC to address numerous challenges and the enthusiasm of private landowners to contribute to conservation efforts on their own land. These realizations inspired the creation of the Conservation Incentive Program.
“This effort aims not only to expand our impact on natural resources within public lands and beyond but also to engage more people in supporting our agency and building a broader coalition for conservation,” Booth explained.
The Conservation Incentive Program functions by reimbursing landowners for expenses incurred while enhancing wildlife habitat through specific management techniques. Launched earlier this year, the program has already garnered over 650 applicants across nine habitat practices categories. A detailed breakdown of the program is available at www.agfc.com/education/conservation-incentive-program.
Booth expressed gratitude for the program’s success, emphasizing the agency’s reliance on the support of not only the Governor but also the Legislature.
“This agency has never operated in isolation, and as we move forward, we acknowledge that we cannot achieve our goals alone. The success of this program is indebted to the support of not just our Governor but also our Legislature,” Booth stated. A link to the presentation can be found [here](LINK TO PRESENTATION).
In other agenda items, the Commission:
- Authorized the removal of two lost items from inventory with an original value of $5,230 and a current net worth of $0.
- Honored AGFC Game Warden Sgt. Tom Pointfield, awarding him his service sidearms after more than 21 years of dedicated service to the people and natural resources of Arkansas.
- Granted Director Booth the authority to finalize the purchase of a 20-acre in-holding within Cypress Bayou Wildlife Management Area in White County. This acquisition is intended to enhance public access and wildlife habitat within the area.
