Director's Message

Welcome to the
Arkansas Forest Resources Center (AFRC) and,
 The UA-M School of Forest Resources (SFR).

The AFRC is a University of Arkansas System Center of Excellence.  We were designated as one of the U of A’s Centers in 1994 and since that time, have expanded our research and extension mission state-wide.  Center faculty members are located in Monticello, Little Rock, Fayetteville, Hope, Pine Tree and Batesville.  We are the premier source of forest-based natural resource information in the State of Arkansas.  This includes information and programs for non-industrial landowners, forest industry, government and non-governmental ownerships.  Examples of programs include field days, demonstration sites, short courses and written material and CDs that address current management concerns in the state and south-wide.  Links below will take you to sites that more fully explain the extent of our research, extension and teaching programs.   

            The School of Forest Resources features three bachelor’s level programs in Forestry, Wildlife Management and Spatial Information Systems.  Additionally, we offer a two-year, associate of science degree in Land Surveying Technology.  All of our programs provide students with a solid background in the sciences, mathematics, geographical information systems (GIS) and computer technology in addition to an extremely strong grounding in language arts, social sciences and the fine arts.  Our Forestry program is fully accredited by the Society of American Foresters.  This program provides students with the required skills to pass the State Registered Forester test, which is required to practice forestry in the State of Arkansas; it also provides graduates the background required for achieving the Certified Forester designation of the Society of American Foresters, a prestigious national recognition.  The Wildlife Management program provides graduates with the necessary courses to apply for Associate Wildlife Biologist status with the Wildlife Society; this designation is the entry level professional recognition for beginning a career track in wildlife management.  Our Spatial Information Systems degree features two options: Surveying and GIS/GPS.  Nationally, professional surveyors are moving to require that licensed surveyors have a bachelor’s degree.  We are ahead of the trend on this by providing a sound technical and professional package that will prepare future surveyors for a meaningful career.  Our GIS/GPS concentration provides students with the technical skills to move into public and private agency positions that require high level spatial planning skills.  This cutting edge program is the only Spatial Information Program in a natural resource school in the United States.           

The AFRC / SFR is located in the heart of the most productive forest settings in the U.S.  Our School laboratory exercises and research extends through the forested regions of Arkansas and the southern U.S.   We are growing in stature and national recognition.  I invite you to take a good look at our other pages and contact us if we can help you in any way.