66 Volunteers Clean Arkansas Wildlife Areas for Hunters

When 66 volunteers showed up on September 12, they weren't looking for glory. They were looking to give back to the Arkansas wildlife areas they love.

The volunteers joined Arkansas Game and Fish Commission staff to tackle cleanup projects at seven Wildlife Management Areas across the state. Their work ranged from clearing boat lanes to removing 350 yards of old barbed wire fence that blocked both wildlife habitat management and public access.

Big Lake WMA in northeast Arkansas drew the biggest crowd, with 24 volunteers clearing boat lanes and trails that will help hundreds of duck hunting groups in coming years. Seven more volunteers focused on opening paths to Government Cypress and Brushy Slough at George H. Dunklin Jr. Bayou Meto WMA, while another group at Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMA removed fencing to make prescribed fire burns safer and more effective.

The program started small but has grown steadily over three years. David Luker, assistant chief of wildlife management for AGFC, says volunteers had always helped with occasional cleanup projects, but the new organized workdays focus efforts where they're needed most.

"It really boils down to what's needed and what the volunteers are able to get done in one day," Luker said. Projects are matched to volunteer skills and location needs, from clearing brush to hauling trash to improving trails for hunters with mobility challenges.

The Ripple Effect

The impact reaches far beyond one workday. Clearer boat lanes mean safer navigation for families. Removed fencing allows wildlife managers to use controlled burns that improve habitat for countless species. Better trails open the outdoors to people who might otherwise struggle to access these public lands.

The momentum continues with the sixth annual Pine Tree Wildlife Demonstration Area Cleanup scheduled for October 10 in Colt. Local sportsmen organize this event, which also helps high school students earn required volunteer hours while learning conservation stewardship.

These volunteers prove that taking care of shared spaces strengthens entire communities, one cleared trail at a time.