Arkansas Co-op Unit Misson Statement
The mission of the Arkansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is to conduct programs of research, graduate education, and technical assistance that address the needs of the State of Arkansas, the region, and the nation. Research programs will pursue both basic and applied scientific questions that are relevant to the management of fish, wildlife, and their habitats. Research topics will be pursued according to Cooperator priorities, availability of collaborative expertise from Cooperators, and funding opportunities.
The educational mission of the Unit shall focus on graduate and post-graduate students. Activities will include teaching of formal graduate-level classes, chairing and serving on advisory committees, mentoring the professional development of students, and participation by Unit scientists in academic programs of the University of Arkansas. Students should be educated to prepare for advancement in broad areas of natural resource management and to serve as future leaders of resource management in the State of Arkansas. Educational programs of the Unit will be consistent with the professional standards and hiring practices of the Cooperators, similar agencies elsewhere, and relevant professional societies involved with natural resource management.
Technical assistance will be provided to Unit Cooperators in the areas of scientific expertise of the Unit. This can include assistance with interpretation of data, preparation and review of experimental designs, identification of specific research voids or needs, and rendering professional judgement. Such activities will generally serve to link the scientists' previously established expertise to specific needs of the Cooperators or other related agencies.
Co-op Unit History
The Arkansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
first opened its doors in August 1988 as one of four units initiated that
year, and one of 43 coop units across the country associated with Land
Grant universities, state game and fish agencies, Wildlife Management
Institute, and the U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division.
The purpose of these units is to train graduate students in scientific
methods of fish and wildlife management, conduct fish and wildlife research,
and provide technical assistance.
Over the past 14 years the Arkansas Co-op Unit has gone through a number
of changes. The federal cooperator changed from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service to the National Biological Survey to National Biological Service
and finally to U.S. Geological Survey. The University department changed
from Zoology to Biological Sciences and combined with Botany and Microbiology.
We have seen seven Departmental Chairs (Amlaner, Geren, Kaplan, Talburt,
Rhoads, Roufa, and Davis), and four Assistant Unit Leaders move on to
other co-op or university positions (Annette, Martin, Griffith, Kwak)
and one Unit Leader retire (Johnson).
Past research efforts have been broadly funded by state agencies (Arkansas
Game and Fish Commission, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Mississippi
Museum of Science), federal agencies (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service), and
non-government organizations (Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation,
Arkansas Audubon Society Trust, Sigma Xi). These funded projects have
resulted in many scientific articles. Unit leaders have taught 6 classes
in fisheries and wildlife, and produced 7 workshops to natural resource
agencies.
In 1999, the Unit was reformed under a new Unit Leader, David Krementz,
and soon thereafter 2 new Assistant Unit Leaders were hired, Dan Magoulick
(fisheries) and Bill Thompson (wildlife). With the full support of all
cooperators, this new team has begun a new era at the Arkansas Co-op Unit.
The opportunities that exist in Arkansas for the Unit at this time are
many and exciting. With the cooperation of all parties, the new Arkansas
Co-op Unit will excel in producing quality graduate students, solid research
and supportive technical assistance.
Co-op Unit Brochures (Note: Files are in .pdf format)
National Cooperative Units Brochure