Six individuals and organizations received accolades from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) during the second annual Natural State Private Lands Expo, held August 28 at the Benton Event Center. The event drew over 450 attendees, including landowners, vendors, and conservation professionals, to learn about private land management practices and celebrate achievements in habitat and wildlife stewardship.
Mark Morales, honored with the Wildlife Habitat Landowner Award, was recognized for transforming his 40-acre property near Mount Magazine and advocating for prescribed fire practices. Garrick Dugger, chief of the AGFC Private Lands Habitat Division, praised Morales’s contributions, saying, “Mark is a shining example of how people can team up, even in private land management, to benefit the greater good.” Morales also teaches prescribed fire techniques at Camp Robinson and the Fire Academy at Arkansas Tech University.
John Chapman and Flow State LLC received the Partner-Nominated Award after being nominated by the Beaver Watershed Alliance. Becky Roark of the alliance highlighted Chapman’s leadership in major restoration projects, such as the War Eagle Creek streambank reconstruction under America the Beautiful Challenge funding. The project restored more than a mile of streambank and developed a wetland complex, crucial steps in reconnecting 500 miles of waterways.
The Fisheries Habitat Landowner Award went to Lance and Audra Coffman, U.S. Forest Service employees who revitalized a Montgomery County farm. They transformed an overgrazed property into a thriving wildlife area by fencing livestock out of the Caddo River and planting over 1,200 native trees and shrubs along a 600-foot streambank to stabilize erosion and improve water quality.
Joe Woolbright, founder of Ozark Ecological Restoration Inc., received the Conservation Contractor of the Year Award for his expertise in prairie restoration and his collaboration with over 200 public and private partners. Woolbright’s nonprofit emphasizes native ecosystem restoration through practices like prescribed burns and invasive species removal.
The Deer Management Assistance Program’s Deer Club of the Year Award was presented to Lynn Keener and Sons for improving deer habitat through prescribed burns and canopy management. Despite high chronic wasting disease prevalence in their county, the Keener family continues to foster healthy deer populations on their property.
The Corporate or Group Award was given to Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry (AHFH) for addressing food insecurity through wildlife management. The organization processes donated venison into meals for food pantries and creates shelf-stable wild game snacks for school backpack programs statewide. Executive Director Ronnie Ritter coordinates efforts with processors, food banks, and hunters across all 75 counties in Arkansas.
The event, which started as a simple awards dinner, has grown into a comprehensive expo featuring educational sessions, vendor exhibits, and networking opportunities. “We realized if we were only having an awards ceremony, we were missing a golden opportunity to increase the conservation footprint in Arkansas,” Dugger explained.
Dr. Craig Harper, a University of Tennessee wildlife management professor, delivered this year’s keynote speech on turkey management strategies. According to event coordinator Jason Hooks, Harper’s presentation and smaller breakout sessions were highlights. “Dr. Harper was definitely a big draw,” Hooks said, adding that farm pond management seminars drew significant interest from landowners.
This year’s sold-out event showcased support from sponsors such as Greenway Equipment, Helena Ag, and Camping World of Benton. “We had folks from north-central Arkansas, Fort Smith, really all over the state,” Hooks said, emphasizing the importance of keeping the event centrally located. Biologists are already planning next year’s expo, which may need a larger venue due to its growing popularity.
With experts from diverse fields and opportunities for hands-on learning, the expo continues to build connections between private landowners and conservation professionals, empowering attendees to make informed decisions about land stewardship.