Arkansas is home to more than 18.8 million acres of forests and over 11.5 billion trees. Forests are a vital part of our state’s identity, economy, and way of life. In fact, Arkansas has the most forestry-dependent economy of all southern states, with forest industries contributing more than $6.1 billion annually.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture plays a key role in supporting the health and economic impact of our state’s forest resources. Our mission is to protect Arkansas’s forests, and those who enjoy them, from wildland fire and natural hazards, while promoting rural and urban forest health, stewardship, and development for current and future generations.
The Department operates 63 offices and work centers located in timber-producing counties and serves all 75 counties in Arkansas. With a field staff of approximately 200 professional foresters and forest rangers, the Department provides landowners, communities, and industries with technical support and forest management services through a variety of programs.
The Department’s work is amplified through strong collaboration with federal, state, local, and nonprofit partners. These partnerships help us deliver more efficient and impactful programs that benefit both forest ecosystems and Arkansas’s forest industries.