Latest news with #AGFC
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
State agencies launch new Arkansas outdoor education program
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders discusses an outdoor education pilot program during a press conference on June 4, 2025 in Little Rock. (Screenshot from livestream) The governor announced on Wednesday the creation of a new outdoor education pilot program that will accept up to 30 Arkansas school districts that apply to participate. A partnership between the Arkansas Department of Education and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the program will help equip students for a career in outdoor recreation, according to a press release from the governor's office. During Wednesday's announcement at AGFC's Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center in Little Rock, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said if the pilot is successful, the program could be expanded to schools across the state and provide a model for the entire country. Getting kids outdoors will help improve their education, health and quality of life, Sanders said. 'Starting today, districts across our state can apply to be one of 30 schools to offer outdoor education built around the standards taught in core and elective content areas, experiences in outdoor learning engagement and projects that empower students to think critically and solve problems about the world around them,' she said. Doug Schoenrock, who was named AGFC's 20th director in April, said the 'truly unique' pilot program will bring the outdoors into the classroom and vice versa. 'And most importantly, this program will bring outdoors to the hearts and minds of our students, and build a connection with the Natural State, which we as Arkansans hold so dear,' Schoenrock said. The new initiative combines several of the governor's priorities, including education, workforce development and outdoor recreation. The pilot program responds to a recommendation made by the Natural State Initiative Advisory Council in its 2023 report to expand outdoor recreation programs to schools. Sanders launched the Natural State Initiative in an effort to expand Arkansas' outdoor economy, and its advisory council is chaired by her husband, Bryan. Tourism is the state's second largest industry behind agriculture. In the most recent year for which data is available, Arkansas welcomed more than 50 million visitors who spent nearly $10 billion, much of which went to outdoor recreation, according to the press release. Applications for the outdoor education pilot program are available on AGFC's website. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Crews work around clock after extreme storm damages fish hatchery facility: 'We won't know the total cost of renovation'
A trout hatchery is dealing with the consequences of intense rainfall that left the Arkansas facility with significant damage. According to K8 News, the Jim Hinkle Spring River Hatchery in Mammoth Spring was flooded after massive amounts of rainfall in April. It's one of five hatcheries operated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission that produce millions of fish each year for public waters. Jason Miller, assistant chief of the AGFC's Fisheries Division, said debris was brought into the hatchery during the storm. Crews started their repairs after a damage assessment. "The Commission authorized $500,000 to get us started on both the hatchery recovery and the initial work on other infrastructure throughout eastern Arkansas, but we won't know the total cost of renovation until we can get a few more inspections complete now that we've cleared off a lot of the debris," Miller said, per K8 News. The AGFC said crews removed 26 dump truck loads of silt from the area, per the outlet. About 150,000 rainbow trout remain, but many were killed or escaped in heavy waters. Over a four-day period in April, eight states in the Mississippi River Valley experienced the heaviest spring rainfall on record in the region since 1950. Researchers found that rising global temperatures made the flooding even more intense. Human activities contribute to heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere that increase temperatures and trigger more frequent and powerful extreme weather events. Burning dirty fuels such as coal, gas, and oil affects the climate more than other human activities, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Due to the warming climate, a larger percentage of precipitation occurs during strong single-day events. Extreme weather events can lead to dangerous conditions for communities. In fact, the Climate Risk Index 2025 found that extreme weather has killed nearly 800,000 people and displaced millions over the last three decades. Do you think your home has good insulation? Definitely It's just all right It's good in some rooms Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Experts have issued warnings that extreme weather events will only become more destructive in the future. However, new technological advancements may help anticipate the storms and the aftermath. Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientists developed technology using artificial intelligence to predict flooding, and experts at Columbia University created an interactive tool to help governments prepare for natural disasters. While resources to mitigate extreme weather continue to be developed, people can take steps to protect their homes. Installing solar panels with battery storage can help make homes more resilient during weather-related grid outages and lower energy costs. Resources such as EnergySage allow homeowners to compare quotes from local installers and save up to $10,000 on solar installation. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Alligator sightings increasing across Arkansas
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ark. – When an alligator came across Trey Moss's job at a Jefferson County cotton field, it was not the sighting that excited him but the gator's size. 'Us living down here in the south, it's just a normal day for one that's small, but you get one that big and it's just like oh my gosh, that joker is massive!' Moss said. Arkansas Game & Fish Commission joins other agencies on website for tips on living with alligators He estimated the gator he photographed on May 18 was 12 feet long. When he posted the picture online, it went viral. Moss said more people near him have been seeing more gators lately, which is no surprise to Amanda Bryant of the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. Bryant as the AGFC's conservation herpetologist, is responsible for all the state's reptiles and amphibians. She explained that alligators were one of the inaugural endangered species in the early 1960s. Due to habitat loss and unregulated hunting, alligators were relocated to southern and central Arkansas by the thousands over a generation, building a healthy enough population to reintroduce a permitted hunting season in 2006. 'There are many, many many people in the state that didn't grow up having to be aware of alligators that didn't grow up with alligators in their backyard yard even though they would have been there 100 years before,' Bryant said. Many states have seen an increased number of nuisance calls due to alligator sightings in recent years. It is why 11 southeastern states launched The site teaches six alligator basics to educate people on how to respect and coexist with alligators. For example, don't leave food near their habitat because it can make alligators interested in humans. GatorWise is following the success of the website which 15 southeastern states launched for black bears in 2018. Bryant admitted many of the tips are consistent, but alligators are usually harder to spot and lack that cuddle factor people may associate with bears. 'People's immediate jump is there's an alligator here it must be a problem, when the alligator lives there. It's totally fine to see an alligator as long as it continues to show no interest in people it's perfectly safe. You've just got to be aware,' Bryant added. Hunting seasons have also played a part in reducing nuisance calls according to Bryant. Hunters looking to bag an alligator in The Natural State can apply for permits for public land hunts from June 15-30 each year. Alligator hunting on private property is managed through a quota system. Anyone may purchase a private land alligator hunting permit, but hunting season ends early if the quota for the alligator zone is met. Arkansas hunters bring in 181 alligators during hunting season Alligator hunting in Arkansas is open from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise during the last two weekends each September. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Young black bear captured in Bentonville
BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/FOX24) — Witness video shows a young black bear being captured in Bentonville around noon on May 28. Officers with the Bentonville Police Department and Bentonville animal control, with assistance from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), caught the bear after it was seen scaling a tree in Bentonville. 'It's probably a yearling,' Keith Stephens with AGFC said. 'Momma pushes them out to be on their own this time of year.' K-9 Comeback: Arkansas Highway Police revive dog unit after nearly 20 years, already make major drug bust Stephens said black bears this age are typically looking for something to eat that is easy to come by, such as trash cans, dog food and bird food. Some may notice this bear's golden hue, despite its name. A cinnamon bear is not a distinct species but rather a color phase of the American black bear, scientifically known as Ursus americanus cinnamomum, a subspecies of Ursus americanus. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission joins other agencies on website for tips on living with alligators
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – South Arkansas has a lot of alligators and the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission has joined with other state agencies to provide tips on living with them. AGFC officials said they have joined with 11 other southeast states to provide The site is designed to foster realistic public perceptions and promote responsible human behavior. 'Gigantic' alligator spotted in Sherwood off Highway 67 near Warden Road AGFC Herpetologist Amanda Bryant says the project has been in the works for a while and has piggybacked off the success of another wildlife awareness project, 'Some states are beginning to see an uptick in nuisance alligator reports and sightings, and some of these reports are simply that an alligator exists somewhere people hadn't seen one before,' Bryant said. 'Some states, like Florida, have done an excellent job of spreading awareness about alligator behavior and safety, and we wanted to work together to have a cohesive message throughout the American alligator's range.' VIDEO: Alligator seen attacking a tire in floodwaters after Hurricane Milton AGFC officials said the American alligator is native to Arkansas. However, it was once completely removed from Arkansas due to habitat degradation, overexploitation for their skins, and misguided fear toward these keystone wetland predators. The AGFC worked with other agencies to restock alligators in their original native range in 1970-71, and the species has remained stable since then. The population is healthy enough to support a popular hunting season each year in June. Arkansas hunters bring in 181 alligators during hunting season As warm weather returns, GatorWise and AGFC officials remind Arkansans that it is normal to see alligators moving around and basking in rivers, ponds and lakes. Alligators are native to Arkansas and play a critical role in the health and balance of our ecosystems. 'If there is an alligator that is in an area where it creates a hazard, we do have resources to relocate the animal, thanks to the USDA APHIS Wildlife Services Department. Those alligators can be reported by calling 822-245-0315,' Bryant said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
