A few Twin Lakes area hunters were among dozens of volunteers who spent recent weekends clearing litter and debris from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife management areas (WMA). One final cleanup is scheduled for Saturday at the University of Arkansas Pine Tree Experimental Station Wildlife Demonstration Area in Colt, St. Francis County.According to David Luker, assistant chief of the AGFC’s Wildlife Management Division, 34 volunteers worked across five WMAs. Volunteers used chainsaws, four-wheelers and plenty of elbow grease to clear fallen trees, open boat lanes and tidy up parking areas.
Among the participants were students from the Manila School District, who picked up trash at Big Lake WMA. “It was particularly nice to see some of tomorrow’s conservationists out helping where they could during the cleanup,” Luker said.
Even small efforts made a difference. At Scatter Creek WMA, volunteer Jessie Floyd removed barbed wire fencing, improving hunter access and reducing hazards for prescribed burns.
“Both organized cleanup dates were typical September days, hot and humid,” AGFC assistant regional supervisor Jason Carbaugh said. “I wish we could have gotten an even better turnout, but the people who showed up were ready to work and do what they could to make the WMA better for everyone.”
The final cleanup is set for Saturday from 8 in the morning to noon at Pine Tree WDA. The event, now in its fifth year, will be led by local sportsmen Keith Price and Charles Gaines, with lunch and drinks provided to volunteers.
Anyone interested can contact Price at 870-317-6742 or Gaines at 870-261-5330.
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