Commission

 
Ozark Mountain Folk Center meeting
Members of the 2018 Commission are pictured above at the Ozark Mountain Folk Center in Mountain View. Members attended a quarterly meeting at the center and visited nearby Devil's Knob-Devil's Backbone Natural Area for the dedication of its trail. 

History Of The Commission

The Commission grew out of Act 112 of 1973 which established the Arkansas Environmental Preservation Commission. This initial legislation provided for an inventory to assure the protection of a network of sites illustrating the range and diversity of the state’s natural environment. Two years later, after the development of the Arkansas Natural Area Plan, Act 227 of 1975 changed the name of the commission to its current “Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission.” This original group was composed of nine members appointed by the Governor for staggered terms of nine years each. In 2001, Act 1228 added six additional commissioners, three appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and three by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The current commission consists of 15 members. Since its creation the commission membership has been as diverse as the lands they work to protect.

The Commission

The Commission is made up of 15 members dedicated to conserving Arkansas’s natural heritage. Nine members are appointed by the Governor for staggered terms of nine years each. In addition, 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 natural area management plans that conserve Arkansas’s ecosystem biodiversity.

 

Governor Appointee 
Robby Bevis 
Scott 
Chairman 

Governor Appointee 
Tammy Browning 
Hot Springs

Governor Appointee 
Lucien Gillham
Sherwood

Governor Appointee 
Doug Harton
Monticello 

Governor Appointee 
Deborah Hoofman 
Enola

Governor Appointee 
Jody Pagan
Searcy

Governor Appointee 
Deborah Smith
Mountain Home

Governor Appointee 
Ellen Turner 
Rogers

Governor Appointee 
Scott Simon
Fayetteville

House Appointee 
Aubra Anthony 
El Dorado 

House Appointee 
Ashley Gillam 
Conway
Secretary 

House Appointee 
Finos B. Johnson
Maumelle

Senate Appointee 
Todd Hart 
Little Rock 
Vice-Chairman 

Senate Appointee 
Robin Lipton Ingram 
Little Rock  

Senate Appointee 
Patti Wilkerson 
Stuttgart