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’s Forestry Division protects and promotes the state’s forest resources for the benefit of all Arkansans. The division’s mission is to protect Arkansas’s forests and the people who enjoy them from wildland fires and natural hazards, while advancing forest health and development in both rural and urban areas.
With a presence in all 75 counties, the Forestry Division operates 63 offices and work centers throughout Arkansas’s timber-producing regions. A dedicated field staff of approximately 200 foresters and forest rangers provides technical assistance and support through a variety of programs.
The division’s work falls under three primary areas:
- Emergency Services
- Forest Management
- State Forests
Contact Us
State Forester
Kyle Cunningham, (501) 580-5479
Deputy State Forester
Darren Spinks, (501) 944-2577
Assistant State Forester for Fire Protection
Robert Murphy, (870) 723-8110
Division Forester
Chandler Barton, (501) 297-1581
Division Forester
Jim Jolley, (501) 580-8956