Conserving the Natural State Forum


Location: Winthrop Rockefeller Institute | Morrilton, AR

Hosted by: U of A Fayetteville Environmental Dynamics Program and the U of A Monticello College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources

Winthrop Rockefeller Institute in Morrilton, AR

About The Forum:

Hosted in Partnership

This forum is organized through a partnership between the Environmental Dynamics Program at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and the Waterfowl Habitat and Recreation Management Program at the University of Arkansas in Monticello. Our goal is to help establish a network of Arkansas researchers and educators in ecosystem studies and management to collaborate and leverage resources for the benefit of the state and its stakeholders.

Purpose

The purpose of this forum is to bring together researchers, university-level educators, state and local government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders from within Arkansas to address challenges facing natural habitats in the natural state. Our state abounds with natural beauty that attracts residents and visitors alike — beautiful mountains for hiking, clean rivers for kayaking and fishing, bountiful wetlands for birding and hunting. Conserving our forests, waterways, and wetlands assures recreation and a healthy environment for future generations of Arkansans. Read more...

In the face of a changing land use and climate patterns, we must work collectively to recognize the challenges that threaten the resiliency of our natural resources to ensure the future of clean water, fertile soils, and productive forested and wetland ecosystems. This forum has three principal goals: 1) to build bridges among faculty and students that stimulate collaborative research and education across universities and colleges in the State of Arkansas; 2) to align priorities among stakeholders in state and local government and the private sector to identify challenges to conservation of natural resources that require research and education to solve; and 3) to showcase how the talents and expertise of in-state researchers, students, and other residents can help meet those challenges.

Registration

Student: $50

Professional: $100

Sponsorship Opportunities

A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available throughout the conference program:

  • Speaking privileges during event-specific Sponsorships
  • Advanced conference registration list with attendee contact information
  • Named recognition in pre-conference emails and conference website
  • Company brochure or other item included in the conference goody bag
  • Conference registration and meals may be included for representatives

For more information and to reserve your sponsorship, contact Ms. Mathilda Hatfield at the University of Arkansas by email or by phone, (479) 575-3007.

Location and Lodging

Winthrop Rockefeller Institute | Morrilton, AR

Due to limited room availability, it is recommended that you reserve your room directly after registering for the forum. To make reservations for lodging, please call Winthrop Rockefeller Institute at (501)-727-5435 to make lodging reservations. Guests will need to state they are reserving a hotel room for The Forum on Preserving the Natural State for September 6-8, 2024.

Keynote Speaker

Dale Hall

Linkedin Profile

Vice President and Board Member, FOAgREC; Retired CEO, Ducks Unlimited; Retired Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Dale Hall is the Vice President and board member for Five Oaks Ag Research and Education Center, Retired CEO of Ducks Unlimited, 2010 - 2019, and was director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 2005 to 2009.

During Hall’s 31-year career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service he served in numerous roles local, regional and national levels. As director, he was responsible for approximately 7,500 USFWS employees working out of the national headquarters and nine regional offices. Before joining the USFWS in 1978, Hall spent four years in the U.S. Air Force, where overseas assignments took him to Italy and the Philippines, and a year managing a commercial aquaculture operation in Mississippi.

Hall holds a master’s degree in fisheries science and is the author of numerous published papers on wetlands, fisheries and ecology. He has also taught courses on wetlands identification and delineation. A native of Kentucky, Hall is a lifelong outdoors enthusiast who enjoys hunting and fishing.

Program and Agenda

The Conserving the Natural State Forum is upon us! Our forum program includes an in-depth rundown of events. You have access to the agenda, keynote speakers and details surrounding our abstract presentations.

View the Program and Agenda

Conference Coordinators

Peter Ungar

Peter S. Ungar, Ph.D.

Distinguished Professor, Director of Environmental Dynamics, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

Douglas C. Osborne, Ph.D.

Douglas C. Osborne, Ph.D.

Certified Wildlife Biologist©, Professor of Wildlife Management; University Coordinator of the Five Oaks Initiative University of Arkansas at Monticello – College of Forestry Agriculture, and Natural Resources, Division of Agriculture – Arkansas Forest Resources Center