Strengthen Healthy Forests & Watersheds for Wildlife

Keeping Arkansas Wild

Strengthen Healthy Forests & Watersheds for Wildlife

AWF advocates for improved forest management and nature-based watershed approaches that lead to healthier landscapes for the benefit of both people and wildlife.

Holistically Managed Forests

Arkansas’ forests are at the heart of the state’s natural heritage, yet many face growing pressures that undermine long-term ecological health. Our organization champions wildlife-centered forest management that prioritizes diverse, resilient forest ecosystems over short-term practices. Weak timber markets make it harder to thin overcrowded stands or manage forests in ways that improve wildlife habitat and reduce wildfire risk. At the same time, some timber practices still encourage dense, single-species plantings (monocrops) that reduce biodiversity and degrade overall habitat quality. 

By promoting ecologically sound forestry—such as mixed-species plantings, strategic thinning, prescribed fire, and restoration of native forest structure—we aim to promote forests that are healthier, more wildlife-friendly, and better prepared for climate and economic pressures.

Nature-based Solutions

We’re committed to advancing nature-based solutions that restore the health and resilience of Arkansas’ watersheds. By prioritizing wetlands, floodplains, riparian buffers, and other natural systems, we can repair the natural functions that store floodwater, filter pollutants, recharge groundwater, and create quality habitat for fish and wildlife. 

Nowhere is this more important than in the Mississippi River Delta of Arkansas—a region so heavily altered by channelization, levees, and agricultural land conversion that its natural hydrology has been fundamentally reshaped. Reintroducing natural processes in the Delta isn’t just good conservation; it’s a practical, costeffective strategy for improving water quality, reducing flood risk, and strengthening the resilience of the entire watershed.

Together with our partners, we’re working with community leaders and citizens in the Delta to advance nature-based solutions as an essential tool for revitalizing underserved communities and repairing ecological health for people and wildlife to thrive.