FEBRUARY 2015

Scientists Conduct Surveys at Cave Springs Cave NA

Some Milkweek Plants Are Harming Monarchs

National Invasive Species Awareness Week is Here

Scientists Conduct Surveys at Cave Springs Cave Natural Area

Armed with wetsuits, knee and elbow pads, helmets, and waterproof headlamps, scientists from the ANHC, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, The Nature Conservancy of Arkansas, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Illinois River Watershed Partnership, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission recently entered Cave Springs Cave at Cave Springs Natural Area to conduct a field survey of the Ozark cavefish (Troglichys rosae) population. To learn more about Cave Springs Cave, the Ozark cavefish, and the survey, visit the What’s New page of our website.

New Officers Elected to Commission

The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (ANHC) held its first meeting of the year on February 3, 2015 in Little Rock. During the meeting officers for 2015 were elected through unanimous vote: Robert Bevis, Jr. of Scott will serve as chairman. Mark Karnes of Arkadelphia will serve as vice chair. Robin Lockhart of Little Rock will serve as secretary.

Pictured above are the new officers and, from left to right: Chris Colclasure, Director, ANHC; Mark Karnes, Vice-Chairman; Robert Bevis, Jr., Chairman; Robin Lockhart, Secretary; Stacy Hurst, Director, Department of Arkansas Heritage; Marynell Branch, Deputy Director of Heritage Resources, Department of Arkansas Heritage.

The commission consists of 15 members. Nine members are appointed by the governor for staggered terms of nine years each. The president pro tempore of the Senate appoints three members, and the speaker of the House of Representatives appoints three members. The commission provides general direction to ANHC professional staff, acts on staff proposals for acquiring and dedicating natural areas, establishes rules and regulations, and adopts and amends management plans for individual natural areas. Follow this link for a complete list of commissioners.

National Invasive Species Awareness Week Is Here

This week, February 22 through 28, is National Invasive Species Awareness Week. Sometimes, the information about invasive plants and animals can be confusing. Follow this link to learn more about invasive plants.

Some Milkweed Plants Are Harming Monarchs

In the past 20 years, the North American population of monarchs has decreased by 90 percent. Loss of overwintering habitat and loss of milkweed habitat are thought to be the greatest contributors to the population decline.

When loss of milkweed habitat was discovered as a possible cause, many people became involved, planting milkweed plants in gardens, along highways, and on public lands. A new study has found that this approach caused many problems for the monarch because the most-readily available species of milkweed (and most-commonly planted), Asclepias curassavica, is not a native milkweed plant.

Learn more about how non-native milkweed is harming monarchs and what you can do to help on our Natural Feature webpage.

ANHC Will Host National Conference

The ANHC, in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy, is preparing to host the 42nd annual conference of the Natural Areas Association (NAA) this fall (November 3-5) in Little Rock. The NAA is a national organization that provides support to those working in fields of natural area conservation and this meeting is one of the nation’s premier gatherings of conservation professionals, educators, and scientists. The ANHC has been actively involved in the NAA since its inception in the early 1970s; however, this will be the first time hosting the national conference in 20 years. Read more about the upcoming conference here.

Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission on Facebook

Did you enjoy a particular story? Do you have a question for one of our experts? We love hearing from you! Send general questions, comments, and concerns to arkansas@naturalheritage.org. Individual article authors can be emailed by clicking their byline under article titles. Let us know what you think!

Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission's Flickr Photostream

Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission on YouTube

	ARKANSAS NATURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION 1500 Tower Building, 323 Center Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 Phone: (501) 324-9619 / Fax: (501) 324-9618 / TDD: (501) 324-9150 arkansas@naturalheritage.org