Three successive Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans (SCORP) have emphasized wetland conservation, proposed policy options, and developed wetland protection criteria. The Arkansas Game And Fish Commission has a long-standing commitment to wetland protection in the Mississippi Delta Region. Wildlife management areas also protect wetlands in the Sulphur, Petit Jean, Arkansas, and other important river floodplains. The watershed of Village Creek, a unique Crowley's Ridge stream, is partially protected by a state park. Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission holds title or easements on wetlands and riparian corridor, and is working with wetland landowners along Bayou Dorcheat. National Forests protect many headwater stream riparian areas, gravel bars, and other wetland types. National Wildlife Refuges in Arkansas protect a significant and diverse array of Arkansas wetlands. The Natural Resources Conservation Service has taken permanent easements on more than 30,000 acres where wetlands will be restored and/or protected.

The state's record of protection through public acquisition must be put in perspective. When Arkansas was being explored and settled, wetlands comprised more than 9 million acres, almost 30% of the surface area (Dahl 1990). Less than 5% of Arkansas' original wetlands are currently protected in state parks, wildlife management areas, natural areas and national wildlife refuges. From the mid 1970s to the mid 1980s, forested wetland decreased an estimated 210,000 acres (Hefner et. al. 1994). In the last decade, wetland conversion to cropland has slowed while conversion for residential and commercial development, highway construction, and irrigation reservoirs is increasing. Remaining wetlands are critical resources that depend primarily on private land stewardship. Public land stewardship can protect only remnants of our wetland resources.

Two recent wetland initiatives most clearly recognize the need for private land solutions to wetland protection and restoration: the Comprehensive Management Plan for the Cache River and White River National Wildlife Refuges, and Habitat 2000 (the Arkansas implementation plan for the North American Waterfowl Management Plan). Both plans proceed from an ecosystem perspective, employ multi-disciplinary, multi-agency teamwork, develop government-private sector partnerships, leverage voluntary policy and regulatory incentives, clarify partner roles, and assign responsibility.

In addition, the Arkansas MAWPT has compiled a series of notes on the ecology, reproduction, regeneration, wildlife habitat, and management of bottomland hardwood forests. These can be used by landowners to help maintain the health of their wetland resources.

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